Publication

The results of the 2011/2012 parliamentary election in Egypt, in which the Salafists won 27% of the vote, attested to their popularity and signaled their possible political influence. Common perceptions of their strict, puritanical view of the world and their animosity towards all things western have raised both national and international worries concerning the Salafists’ attitudes towards Egypt’s relations with Israel and the peace treaty between these countries. However, the Salafist parties’ desire to win votes and gain political acceptance has driven them to adopt more moderate political views. It can be assumed that the entrenchment of electoral politics in Egypt will cause the Salafists to further moderate their views.