February 7th News Bulletin

Displaced Palestinians returning to the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Jan. 19.Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP via Getty Images

Trump's plans for a 'Riviera of the Middle East' in Gaza condemned

NBC News

“President Donald Trump’s unprecedented announcement that he was planning to seize control of the Gaza Strip and oust 2.2 million Palestinians, temporarily at least, has provoked shock and disbelief around the world, with some officials and analysts saying it would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing. Many wonder whether it’s even practically possible, instead suggesting it might be more a diplomatic gambit or a distraction technique rather than an actual policy plan.”

Palestinians walk past the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive. Photograph: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

Israel tells army to prepare plans for Palestinians ‘who wish to leave’ Gaza

The Guardian

“Israel’s defence minister has ordered the military to prepare plans to allow Palestinians “who wish to leave” Gaza to exit, after Donald Trump suggested the US take over the territory and resettle its residents in other countries. A Hamas official attacked the proposal as a “declaration of intent to occupy” Gaza, as Egypt, which Trump named as a possible destination for Palestinians, launched an intense behind-the-scenes diplomatic campaign to block it going further.”

Thousands of displaced Gazans are making their way back to what's left of their homes in the north.

'We won't go out of Gaza': Palestinians express shock and defiance at Trump plan

BBC

“For most Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip there is already a painful history of forced displacement that is at the heart of their response to US President Donald Trump's plan to take over the war-torn territory. Speaking to the BBC, residents of a tent camp in the central town of Deir al-Balah expressed shock and defiance at the idea of being permanently resettled outside. "Even if it costs us our souls, we will not leave Gaza," said Mahmoud Bahjat, who is from the north. "We are against Trump's decision. He ended the war but displacing us would end our lives."

A diplomat observes the room at the opening of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 9, 2024. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

Following US, Israel says it will halt participation in UN Human Rights Council

Times of Israel

“A day after US President Donald Trump stopped American engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Wednesday that Israel is following suit. “Israel joins the United States and will not participate in the UNHRC,” Sa’ar wrote on X. Neither the US nor Israel are currently members of the UNHRC but, like all United Nations member states, they have informal observer status and a seat in the council meeting chamber.”

Feb 6, 2025: CMEP Condemns President Trump’s Call for the Forced Displacement of Palestinians from Gaza

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) vehemently opposes President Donald Trump’s recent comments advocating for the forced removal of the Palestinian population from Gaza. This is an open call for ethnic cleansing and a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law, as well as a fundamental affront to the sanctity of human life. Additionally, such language further undermines the current ceasefire, which the Trump Administration worked hard to secure and is directly responsible for ensuring all parties continue to adhere to its tenants through the completion of phase three of the deal.

The Rev. Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, speaks during a vigil at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington, Nov. 28, 2023. (RNS photo/Jack Jenkins).

CMEP in the News: Amid criticism from religious detractors, Vance speaks at religious freedom summit

Religious News Service

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, head of Churches for Middle East Peace, criticized Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the International Religious Freedom Summit, arguing that while he spoke about religious liberty, his message implied Christian superiority and selective human rights. She challenged the notion of America as a "Christian nation," highlighting its complex and often oppressive history. Cannon also noted that Vance failed to address how religious freedom should protect those welcoming immigrants, particularly in light of recent immigration policy changes. Additionally, she condemned his omission of Palestinian Muslims’ and Christians’ rights violations in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, as well as the rise in global antisemitism due to the association of Jewish people with Israeli government policies.

CMEP's 2025 Advocacy Summit Washington, D.C. March 19-20, 2025

Join Churches for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC at our annual Advocacy Summit March 19-20th, 2025. Day one of the summit, Wednesday, March 19th will include remarks from several expert speakers, updates from CMEP staff, and advocacy training. On Day Two, Thursday, March 20th, you will have the opportunity to put all you've learned into action on Capitol Hill, as you meet with the offices of your senators and representatives. 
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent" (Acts 18:9)
This year, our Advocacy Summit recognizes the tremendous work our constituents and coalitions have done to speak out for justice and calls upon each of us to "keep on speaking" and working for a just peace for all people in the Holy Land. 

CMEP Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) tour in Colorado and Texas

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) will be visiting Colorado from February 9-12 and Texas from February 14-17 as part of our ongoing Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) tour! We’re excited to engage with you about peacebuilding and advocacy related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These conversations are especially relevant in the wake of ongoing violence and instability in the region.

We’ll release more details soon. Events can range from guest sermons, lunch-and-learn discussions, and Bible studies to roundtable clergy gatherings or student visits. Together, we’ll explore what it means to pursue peace and advocate for justice in the Holy Land and beyond. Stay tuned for updates, and we hope to see you there!

CMEP Wednesday Prayers for Peace

Churches for Middle East Peace invites you to pray for peace in light of recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Every Wednesday, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Eastern via Zoom.

 Live Thursday News Briefings

Please join us on Zoom for a weekly briefing on current news regarding the Hamas and Israel War. Hear from CMEP Staff and other experts. Every Thursday 10:00 am - 10:30 am Eastern. You can watch the most recent live briefing from January 16 concerning the ceasefire agreement HERE. If you want to see more of these be sure to attend live every Thursday!

The U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, is pictured February 1st, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Karolyn Kaster)

What USAID does, and why Trump and Musk want to get rid of it

AP News

“Dozens of senior officials put on leave. Thousands of contractors laid off. A freeze put on billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance to other countries. Over the last two weeks, President Donald Trump’s administration has made significant changes to the U.S. agency charged with delivering humanitarian assistance overseas that has left aid organizations agonizing over whether they can continue with programs such as nutritional assistance for malnourished infants and children.”

The Syria Civil Defence said some of the 15 wounded were in a critical condition.

Car bomb blast in northern Syria kills at least 20 

BBC

“At least 20 people, most of them women, have been killed in a car bomb attack in northern Syria, the country's presidency says. The Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, said a car filled with explosives blew up on a main road in the southern outskirts of the city of Manbij as a flat-bed lorry carrying about 30 agricultural workers drove past.”

U.S. soldiers on patrol by the Suwaydiyah oil fields in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province Feb. 13, 2021.Delil Souleiman / AFP via Getty Images file.

Defense Department drafting plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria after recent Trump comments

NBC

“The Defense Department is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, two U.S. defense officials told NBC News on Tuesday. President Donald Trump and officials close to him recently expressed interest in pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, the officials said, leading Pentagon officials to begin drawing up plans for a full withdrawal in 30, 60 or 90 days. Trump’s new national security adviser, Mike Waltz, spent Friday at the headquarters of U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida, meeting with senior U.S. military leaders and getting briefings on the Middle East, according to U.S. defense officials.”

This year, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and author and ethicist Andrew DeCort, PhD, held a series of prayerful reflections on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). From January 18-25th, Andrew was joined each day at 12:00 EST by a different renowned guest to reflect on one of the beatitudes and pray for a just peace for the Middle East.

Speakers will included:

January 18th: Sister Susan Nchibiri, Maryknoll Office of Global Concern

January 19th: Shireen Awwad Hilal, Bethlehem Bible College

January 20th: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Christmas Lutheran Church (Bethlehem, Palestine) & the ELCJHL

January 22nd: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel A. W. Adishian, Armenian-American priest, scholar, and speaker

January 23rd: Tony Amoury Alhoury, Syrian-born Christian theologian and educator

January 24th: Abouna Imad Haddad, Good Shepherd Church (Amman, Jordan) and ELCJHL

January 25th: Rev. Ashraf Tannous, Palestinian Reverand and Head of the ELCJHL’s Ecclesiastical Court

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed each year as an opportunity to explore Christians' shared heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all us all. This year's overarching global theme, "Do You Believe?" (John 11:26) offers a way to see that faith is not just a static set of beliefs, but an active means of receiving grace.

As the World Council of Churches explains, 2025 also marks the 1700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 AD. This commemoration provided a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the creed formulated during this council.

If you want to watch the recordings of any speakers you may have missed, their recording is available at the link below!

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