"The official installation of Parliament at Ramallah opens a new era in the Palestinian political life. The signs received so far are signs of moderation from the new leaders but only time will tell". The political and historical scope of the opening ceremony of the new Palestinian Parliament is illustrated to SIR by the Custodian of the Holy Land, father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who hopes "in a not too extremist version of the new government. The new leader (there are rumours it will be Ismail Haniyeh, editor’s note) should be a man of mediation, able to make the different souls of Hamas live together in harmony and give a presentable and respectable image of the new executive. It’s a hard feat but it can be done". Keen onlookers of the start of the works of the Parliament are all donor countries, including the European Union. "Palestine recalled the Custodian is supported by external subsidies. If such subsidies should stop, as many parties have threatened to do to push Hamas to political moderation, it would be a very serious damage. It would mean throwing the new leaders into the hands of extremism. I think the community should keep supporting the Palestinian cause but it should also be very determined in asking Hamas to give up violence and acknowledge the State of Israel".
