 |  | February 9th Update Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | | |  | Image: "We are on our way to absolute victory," says Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Screenshot from BBC) | | | | | Gaza ceasefire: Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Hamas's proposed terms BBC “Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas's proposed ceasefire terms - saying ‘total victory’ in Gaza is possible within months. He was speaking after Hamas laid out a series of demands in response to an Israel-backed ceasefire proposal… ‘There is no other solution but a complete and final victory,’ Mr Netanyahu told a news conference on Wednesday (Feb 7). ‘If Hamas will survive in Gaza, it's only a question of time until the next massacre.’” | | | | | |  | Image: Demonstrators block a main road demanding an immediate deal for the release Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Palestinian terrorists, during a protest near the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on February 1, 2024. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP) | | | At least 32 of the 136 hostages held in Gaza killed, 20 others feared dead- NYT Times of Israel “Thirty-two of the more than 130 hostages still held captive by Hamas are no longer alive, according to a report on the eve of the fourth month of the war between Israel and the Gaza terror group that provided an updated picture of the status of the hostages. Citing a confidential assessment conducted by Israeli intelligence officials, The New York Times reported on Tuesday (Feb 6) that more hostages have been killed than previously thought — until now, the IDF had only confirmed the deaths of 29 of the captives still in Gaza.” | | | | | | | |  | Image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomes the Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his official visit to Tel Aviv on Jan. 9. (Handout/Kobi Gideon/Anadolu via Getty Images) | | | Bibi protests to Blinken, calls U.S. sanctions on violent settlers "inappropriate" Axios “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday (Feb 7) he told Secretary of State Tony Blinken that President Biden's executive order targeting Israeli settlers involved in violent attacks against Palestinians was ‘inappropriate’ and ‘highly problematic.’” | | | | | | | |  | Image: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., discusses next steps for Ukraine and Israel aid at the Capitol on Wednesday. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP) | | | Senate advances Ukraine and Israel aid after GOP blocked larger border bill NBC News “The Senate voted Thursday (Feb 8) afternoon to proceed with a stripped-down bill that would provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, one day after Republicans in the chamber rejected a bipartisan border security and foreign aid bill. The vote of 67-32 means the Senate can begin consideration of the $95 billion package, although the next steps are uncertain and it’s not yet clear it will have the votes for final passage in the chamber.” | | | | | | | | | |  | Weekly events: We continue to host weekly events, with prayer meetings on Wednesdays at 12:30 - 1:00 pm EST and Thursday briefings 10 - 10:30 am EST. Both of these meetings are led by CMEP staff, so join for a time of education and encouragement. Likewise, you can still join us in calling your congressperson. All of the tools you need to advocate can be found here. More about what you can do in this time of crisis is on our GAP Page. | | | | |  | Check out the podcast diving into the creation of #GCPilgrimages: In the last two weeks, 12 countries and 77 cities have signed up to participate in the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages. Come join Dr Drew Hart as he facilitates hearing the story, learning about the movement and responding to the invitation to transfigure our trauma and put our compassion into action for those who are suffering. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. For more about the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages and how you can participate, see our website. | | | | | | |  | Ash Wednesday liturgy and ecumenical public witness: Join us in D.C. on February 14th for a prayerful ecumenical public witness calling for a ceasefire and for a just peace in the Holy Land. This event is part of a broader Christian "Wednesday Witnesses" for peace during this year's Lenten period and will also include a Catholic Mass in front of the White House. Keep an eye on CMEP's Events page for more information on future Wednesday Witnesses activities. Learn more of the specifics for the February 14th events now. | | | | | | | |  | Episode 3 of the And Still We Rise Podcast came 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 now on YouTube or Spotify. | | | | |  | 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 and learn more about how CMEP will continue pursuing peace and justice for all in the Middle East. You will also have a chance to meet directly with your Congressional offices. | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
