Catholic.org informs that the patriarchs of the Christian churches of Jerusalem sent a message to Hamas leaders.

Hamas is an Islamic religious movement, that won the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council on January 25. They are considered by the European Union, Canada, the United States, Australia and Israel as a terrorist group. Therefore, their political victory has caused a great commotion around the world.

This message to Hamas leaders was signed by Latin, Melkite, Maronite, Syrian and Armenian Catholic leaders; the head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land; and Orthodox, Episcopal and Lutheran leaders.

In it, these Christian leaders offer cooperation to Hamas in their new government, but they say it’s crutial that they offer religious freedom, especially in the education and social fields.

The message sent may very well be summarized in this excerpt: “We ask God to guide us toward what is good for all and for this Holy Land with all its inhabitants, Palestinians and Israelis, be they Muslims, Christians or Jews,”.