January 12th Update Bulletin

As the new year begins, we turn our eyes once more to the events unfolding in Palestine and Israel. Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP. 

 

Image: Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives for a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East. (Evelyn Hockstein/AFP/Getty Images)

Blinken’s talks with Israeli officials reveal divisions over Gaza

Washington Post

"Disagreements between the United States and Israel over the Jewish state’s treatment of Palestinians emerged during Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel on Tuesday (Jan 9) as leaders aired opposing views over when Palestinians can return to northern Gaza and receive tax revenue collected by Israel."

Image: British Royal Air Force Typhoons conducting strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen. Photo: U.K. Ministry of Defense/X

U.S. and U.K. strike Houthis in Yemen

Axios

"The U.S. and U.K. conducted airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Thursday (Jan 11) after the group defied repeated warnings to halt its attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, President Biden said."

Image: Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment on Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair). 

South Africa tells top UN court Israel is committing genocide in Gaza as landmark case begins

AP News

"In a case that strikes at the heart of Israel’s national identity, South Africa formally accused the country of committing genocide against Palestinians and pleaded Thursday (Jan 1) with the United Nations’ top court to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza."

 

Upcoming Events:

Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and other organizations on January 13th for a Global Day of Action for Ceasefire in Gaza. CMEP will gather for a prayer vigil at 4:00 pm Eastern after the March on Washington 4 Gaza earlier that day. We will also be livestreaming the prayer vigil on CMEP's Youtube Page.

 

Live from Jerusalem, join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Bethlehem Bible College for this streaming of a live prayer gathering in Jerusalem on Sunday morning. Members of the CMEP team, including Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and And Still We Rise Coordinator Tamar Haddad, will gather in Jerusalem with local Christian leaders like Rev. Jack Sara in lament and prayer for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and an immediate end to the violence.  Rise early with us in lament and join in prayer. 

 

The first episode of the ASWR podcast sheds light on how Christian religious leaders balance the pastoral and the prophetic when observing the Advent and Christmas season. The Christmas message brings hope, especially to those who struggle under war. Listen to the experiences of Rev. Sally Azar and Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon shortly after 7 October. This episode was recorded on November 9, 2023.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024: Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) for a week of prayer alongside Christians from around the world, focusing on Luke 10:27- "You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbor as yourself". Join daily for a time of prayer led by Christian Leaders from across the US and the Middle East. From January 22  to January 26 starting at 12:30 pm (EST), spend 30 minutes in prayer and participate in this global week where believers around the world gather, united by faith, throwing off division, and praying for peace.

 

Join Churches for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC as we mark Four Decades of Pursuing Peace at our annual Advocacy Summit from April 9-11, 2024. Spend time looking back at CMEP's 40 year history while hearing how CMEP will continue its work to advocate for peace and justice for all in the Middle East. You will also have a chance to advocate directly with your Congressional offices. 

 

Our community at CMEP has been quickly growing and expanding; for those who may be new to this community, we want to say thank you for joining us in prayer, action, and generosity. If you would like to donate to the pursuit of holistic peace through advocacy, education, and elevation of voices from the Middle East, you can donate today.

 

Contact Us

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 505
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222  info@cmep.org

 

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