"Expectation about the next move as well as concern for a certain Islamic fundamentalism that is spreading". This is how Father Pierre Grech summarised to SIR the position of the Conference of the Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (Celra), of which he is Secretary General, after the news of Hamas’s victory at the Palestinian elections od January 25th. "From a political perspective stated the priest we are not particularly worried. Actually, we think this can be a chance, an opportunity. Only a strong, democratically-elected government can make real progress towards peace. In Israel, what Sharon did, no one else could have done. And as for Fatah, Hamas too could now start a process of internal politicisation by giving up on armed fight and recognising Israel". The election results look different from a religious perspective, though. "Hamas explains the Secretary General of Celra is a fundamentalist movement, and its powerful spreading could cause Islamic extremism to grow. And this – he concludes is not good news for the Christian minority which is already in distress and relentlessly migrating from the Holy Land".
