Middle East peace pact.

Several Jews toasted their New Year brimming with hope for the future of their homeland.

But there was lingering anxiety about how Palestinian extremists would react to the accord.

Some voiced fears about a vicious backlash by the Hamas terrorist group.

"For most people that is the worry,'' said Mrs. Fiona Elkinson, who runs the Bermuda Hebrew School.

Mrs. Elkinson is still haunted by memories of life in Israel in 1984 and 1985.

It was a time of high tension after Israel's bombing campaign against Lebanon.

Mrs. Elkinson, who was living in Jerusalem, brushed with disaster four times that year.

"I was travelling to Egypt when a bomb was thrown at the bus behind us,'' she said.

"Although I didn't see it go off, I heard the explosion.'' Mrs. Elkinson also recalled being evacuated from buildings, hotels and theatres during bomb alerts.

"It was a very volatile situation, and there was a constant fear of random violence.'' Bermuda's Jewish community has about 200 members. The lay leader is Mrs. Diana Lynn.

The general mood was one of hopefulness yesterday among Jews interviewed by The Royal Gazette .

They saw the handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organisation chief Yasser Arafat as a tremendous symbolic gesture.

And it boded well as they began Rosh-Hashana -- their New Year, which officially starts tomorrow night.

The peace deal gives the Palestinians limited self-rule for five years in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, starting on December 13.

Palestinians will hold elections by April 13 1994 for a council to run the Gaza strip and West Bank.

The future of Jerusalem, claimed by both Israel and Palestinians as their eternal capital, was postponed until the final status negotiations.

Mrs. Elkinson said of the accord: "It is a good thing and we are very hopeful for peace.'' Mrs. Lena Ostroff, an American Jew, was extremely enthusiastic.

"I welcome anything which leads to reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Many people feel there should not be any compromise, but I feel any chance for peace should be grabbed.'' Mrs. Ostroff said when she visited Israel there were constant security checks when people entered supermarkets and cinemas.

But violence in Israel could be overstated, she said.

There was probably more violence in American cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit.

Dr. Fred Lipschultz, a scientist at the Bermuda Biological Station, said: "I think the peace accord is wonderful.

"Any progress is wonderful. Intransigence is no solution.'' Dr. Lipschultz described yesterday's developments as a promising first step.

As to the future, that remains to be seen, he added.

And on the thorny question of Jerusalem Dr. Lipschultz said: "That is down the line. We will have to cross that bridge when we come to it.'' He described the peace accord as a "win/win solution'', with both sides emerging victorious.

Mrs. Tamar Sharp said she had been shocked by the deal.

"I think it's great, it's all positive and a step forward. There is nothing negative about it.'' NEW YEAR JOY -- Twenty-month-old Simon Sharp claps his hands in delight during yesterday's New Year celebration among Bermuda's Jewish community, which starts tomorrow night.