 |  | February 21st News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | Hamas Offers Hostage Release Amid Ceasefire Negotiations The Guardian Hamas has proposed releasing all remaining hostages if Israel agrees to a second phase of the ceasefire next month. This follows internal opposition within Israel regarding prisoner exchanges and military withdrawal from Gaza, while international pressure mounts to advance the peace process. | | | | | | | | Israel’s Netanyahu signals he’s moving ahead with Trump’s idea to transfer Palestinians from Gaza The Associated Press Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for an international plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians, countering U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Gaza's population and redevelop the area. Arab nations are collaborating on an alternative plan, emphasizing the importance of the UNRWA and rejecting displacement. | | | | | | | | Gaza Arab plan may involve up to $20 billion regional contribution, sources say Reuters President al-Sisi is set to discuss an Arab-led initiative in Riyadh, proposing up to $20 billion for Gaza's reconstruction. This plan aims to counter President Trump's proposal to redevelop Gaza under U.S. control and displace Palestinians, with key Arab nations advocating for governance without Hamas and ensuring Palestinians remain in their homeland. | | | | | | | | Israeli military campaign displaces tens of thousands of Palestinians CNN Intensive Israeli military operations targeting militants have led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinian families in the northern West Bank, marking the largest such movement since 1967. The operations have caused significant infrastructure damage, with over 40,000 Palestinians displaced and seeking temporary shelter in nearby towns. | | | | | | UAE tells Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Times of Israel During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE's opposition to any attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza. He emphasized the need for Gaza's reconstruction to be linked to a comprehensive peace process based on a two-state solution. | | | | | | | | | CMEP Affirms Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem responding to foreclosure against Armenian Patriarchate | | | 20 Feb 2025 Washington D.C.- Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) stands in solidarity with the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem and their defense of the Armenian Patriarchate. The Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem faces a foreclosure order posing a significant threat to their ongoing sustainability. As the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches note, “This action undermines the freedom of religion, which is the foundation of all other rights, since through a confiscation of assets, attempts to the right of existence of the Orthodox Armenian Church, depriving it of the necessary economic resources to live and operate and depriving the local Armenian people of the pastoral care of their Church.” The threat against the Armenian Patriarchate reflects a broader challenge facing the Christian community in Jerusalem relating to taxation issues. CMEP remains committed to advocate for the continued sustainability of the churches in Jerusalem whose presence and ministry provide vital services to the greater community. The full statement is available here | | | | | | | |  | 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. | | | | KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED! | | | | | | Shareback on Holy Land Coordination Trip On Monday, February 24th join CMEP's Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, Kyle Cristofalo, alongside other travelers from a recent trip to Israel/Palestine with the Holy Land Coordination Committee (HLCC) to hear insights from the ground. Panelists include Rt. Rev. Bishop Christopher Chessun and the USCCB's Director of Peace & Justice, Christopher Ljungquist. | | | | | | Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac Book Launch in Washington, DC Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is pleased to invite you to join us on April 1-2, 2025 for the Washington DC launch of Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac's new book "Christ in the Rubble" in Washington DC/ In this impassioned and incisive book, Munther Isaac challenges mainstream Christians’ uncritical embrace of the modern State of Israel.
Writing from Bethlehem with close-up knowledge of conditions on the ground, and rooted in a commitment to nonviolence and just peace, Isaac challenges readers to realign their beliefs and actions with Christ—who can be found not among perpetrators of violence, but with victims buried under the rubble of war. | | April 1: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac Book Launch- Busboys & Poets | | | | April 2: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac Book Launch- The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church | | | | | | | | Come, Walk With Us The Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Movement launched on January 14, 2024, at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Co-imagined by Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon (CMEP), Jarrod McKenna (Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine), James Harris, Lisa Sharon Harper (Freedom Road), and Suzan Wahab (Palestinian Christians in Australia), the movement calls for deepened solidarity with Palestinians during Lent. As we meditate on Jesus’ life and passion, we also acknowledge the suffering of our Palestinian siblings, affirming the testimony of Palestinian Christians and human rights organizations. We recognize the legal definitions of apartheid and military occupation and heed experts warning of genocidal intent in Gaza. Inspired by Jesus' teaching to let our yes mean yes, we speak plainly: we must call for an enduring ceasefire and an end to occupation so true peace can begin. During Lent 2024, Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages took place in 100+ cities across all seven continents—a powerful, embodied act of prayer and solidarity. One year later, our work continues. Violence persists in the Holy Land, and we invite you once again to walk with us—in spirit, body, or mind—toward peace and justice. CMEP will release more details about our Lent Devotional Booklet Soon! | | | | | | | | Jerusalem Christian Leaders Denounce Trump’s Plan to Take Over Gaza Word & Way Christian leaders in Jerusalem have denounced President Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and relocate its Palestinian population, describing it as a form of ethnic cleansing. They urge the international community to protect the rights and dignity of Gaza's residents, emphasizing the moral obligation to prevent forced displacement. | | | | | | | | Lebanon declares occupation on its border, urges Security Council to force IDF out The Washington Post Israel's ceasefire agreements with Hezbollah and Hamas are under strain, as Israeli forces remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon beyond the agreed withdrawal deadline, leading to tensions with Lebanon. The Gaza ceasefire is also uncertain, with delays in initiating the second phase of negotiations. | | | | | | | | More than $50bn needed to rebuild Gaza after Israel’s war on enclave Al Jazeera The United Nations estimates that rebuilding Gaza after extensive destruction from prolonged conflict will cost at least $53 billion. The reconstruction effort is expected to be the largest since World War II, aiming to address the massive devastation of homes, infrastructure, and essential services. | | | | | | | | Christian leaders set to unveil West Bank resolution at Dallas event The Jerusalem Post Christian leaders will unveil a resolution supporting Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank at an upcoming media convention, with over 3,000 pastoral signatures to be presented to President Trump. | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
