February 2nd Update Bulletin

Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news.

Image: President Joe Biden speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Statuary Hill at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
(AP Photo/ Andrew Harnik)

Biden sanctions four Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinians in the West Bank

AP News

“President Joe Biden on Thursday (Feb. 1) issued an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been attacking Palestinians in the occupied territory, imposing financial sanctions and visa bans in an initial round against four individuals. Those settlers were involved in acts of violence, as well as threats and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property, according to the order. ”

Image: Two Palestinian sisters walk past a destroyed house during an Israeli military operation in Khan Younis on Friday.
(Mohammed Saber/EPA)

Israel and Hamas closer to ceasefire deal amid warning over Gaza children

The Guardian

"Israel and Hamas appear to be inching closer towards a deal for a ceasefire and a release of some of the hostages still being held by the militant group in Gaza, while the UN children’s agency has warned that 17,000 children have been left without families or been separated from them by the conflict."

Image: Screengrab as Rev. David Peoples, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, speaks during a press conference in Memphis, Tennessee, on Jan. 22, 2024.

Progressive Baptists Call for Gaza Ceasefire

CMEP Member Denomination

Word & Way

“The Progressive National Baptist Convention, the denominational home of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., publicly endorsed calls for a ceasefire in Israel-Gaza on Monday (Jan. 22). ‘We’re calling for a ceasefire,’ Rev. David Peoples, PNBC president, announced during an event in Memphis, Tennessee."

Lament is finally not an expression of despair but of faith.

John Paarlberg, Regional Coordinator with CMEP.

Prayers4Peace

"We gathered in front of our Congressman’s district office in preparation for a 'die-in.' After a few opening remarks we lay down in the street, covered ourselves with white sheets and remained silent, while for more than an hour the names and ages of many of those killed in the recent violence were read aloud: 'Ahmed Hussein Ahmed Al-Astal, age 12; Joan Yahya Youssef Al-Astal, age 4; Maha Ramez Amin Hassouna, age 18; Safa Suleiman Salman Al-Najjar, one year old…..'"

Join Us 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.

Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage is a network of autonomous Christian groups with shared convictions who are engaging in a prayerful show of solidarity in cities around the world, where people during Lent will walk the length of the Gaza Strip. Pilgrimages are taking place throughout Lent. We are encouraging people to find a date within Lent that works for them to host a pilgrimage. As Christians enter into the season of Lent, before the celebration of Easter, we are inviting anyone who wants to be involved in this prayerful, nonviolent pilgrimage that will be the length of Gaza – 41km, or 25 miles.

Plan a Pilgrimage

Episode 3 of the And Still We Rise Podcast comes out this Sunday, February 4th. This episode features voices from young women activists in Palestine and the U.S. Sally Abed, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, and Ciara, a Persian American, both believe in the Palestinian liberation movements and discuss the ways they see parallels between liberatory movements around the world. Both women share their experiences as young activists and the reasons behind their advocacy. This episode was recorded on December 27, 2023. You can listen to the podcast when it comes out on YouTube or Spotify.

Listen to Episodes

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) just finished hosting 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". If you missed these daily times of prayer led by Christian Leaders from across the US and the Middle East, you can rewatch them all now on CMEP’s YouTube channel.