 |  | February 28th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | Israel's army admits failures on Oct. 7. Its probe of the attack could put pressure on Netanyahu. NBC News An investigation by the Israeli military has determined that Hamas was able to carry out the deadliest attack in Israeli history on Oct. 7, 2023, because the much more powerful Israeli army misjudged the militant group’s intentions and underestimated its capabilities. The findings, released Thursday, could pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a widely demanded broader inquiry to examine the political decision-making that preceded the attack, which triggered the war in Gaza | | | | | | | | Palestinians released by Israel show signs of torture, starvation Al-Jazeera Hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails released in Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement once again showed signs of emaciation and abuse. More than 600 Palestinians were released on Thursday, shortly after Israel said Hamas handed over coffins containing the bodies of four captives. Israel has delayed the release of two Palestinian women and 44 children. | | | | | | | | Israel sends tanks to the West Bank for the first time in 20 years. Here’s why that’s significant CNN The Israeli military this weekend deployed tanks to the occupied West Bank for the first time in two decades. In the background of a Gaza ceasefire, Israel has steadily escalated an intense military operation in Palestinian cities in the West Bank, killing dozens and displacing tens of thousands of residents. Since Hamas’ October 7 attack, Israel has regularly launched airstrikes on the West Bank, which was almost unheard of before. Its defense minister, Israel Katz, said on Sunday that he’d instructed the military to stay for a year and “to prevent the return of residents.” | | | | | | | | Medics say 6 babies have died from the cold in Gaza as displaced people shelter in tents and rubble CNN At least six infants have died from hypothermia in the last two weeks in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of people are living in tent camps and war-damaged buildings during a fragile ceasefire, Palestinian medics said Tuesday. The coastal territory experiences cold, wet winters, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees Celsius (50 F) at night and storms blowing in from the Mediterranean Sea. The last few days have been especially cold. | | | | | | Syrians back freedoms, constitutional process at landmark dialogue Reuters Syrians agreed on Tuesday to form a committee to draft a constitution that enshrines justice, freedom and equality for all, according to the closing statement of a landmark national dialogue conference held at the presidential palace in Damascus. Billed by Syria's Islamist rulers as a key milestone following the end of decades of Assad family rule, the conference was attended by hundreds of Syrians who met at the so-called People's Palace in the hills above the capital. | | | | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | Gaza Humanitarian Snapshot #10 Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) raises the alarm alongside 42 other humanitarian aid and advocacy organizations about the escalating violence and restrictions in the occupied West Bank and the unprecedented obstruction as Israeli forces and settlers intensify violence and movement restrictions. Since the pause in hostilities in Gaza on January 19, 2025, aid workers have encountered direct threats, while aid deliveries are routinely delayed or blocked by newly established checkpoints. | | | | | | | |  | 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! | | | | | | 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! | | | | | | Pilgrimage to Peace: Georgia- Florida- North Carolina Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) will be visiting Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina as part of our ongoing Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) tour from March 1-11th! 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. Please find our confirmed public events below. If you are interested in hosting your own event now or in the future, please reach out to destiny@cmep.org Learn more about Atlanta events March 2-5th: https://cmep.org/cmep-events/atlanta-p2p/
Learn more about Orlando events March 6-7th: https://cmep.org/cmep-events/orlando-p2p/
Learn more about North Carolina events March 8-11th: https://cmep.org/cmep-events/north-carolina-p2p/ | | | | | | Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage: Ash Wednesday Snap Action With calls to ethnically cleanse Gaza, stalled ceasefire talks, forty thousand displaced in the West Bank, and increasing oppression in East Jerusalem, many of us feel compelled to walk in prayerful solidarity again this Lent. Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages is not merely about Gaza or ceasefires—but everywhere Palestinians stories, rights, agency and lives are being erased. We know this is not just in Gaza. In recent weeks, we have seen Israeli tanks enter the West Bank for the first time in two decades. In response to this prompting in our hearts, we are planning an Ash Wednesday Snap Action to kickstart Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages for Lent 2025.Our call to you is the same as it always has been—come, walk with us. Whether by yourself or in a group, we are calling on people to walk 10 kilometres (6.2 miles)—the distance from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Stopping to pray at the moments where there would be a checkpoint. Many of us will be walking to or from Ash Wednesday services. As we call on people to pilgrimage again during Lent, would you join us for the Ash Wednesday Snap Action? If you are planning to walk on Ash Wednesday:
Register: gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com
Tag @gcpilgrimages on Instagram and we will repost. | | | | | | Archon Religious Freedom Symposium at the University of South Carolina His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America (Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate), His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre (Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from the Holy See of Rome), and the Reverend Dr. Mae Elise Cannon (Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace, Ordained Pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church) will address a Religious Freedom Symposium, “God Created Us to Live In Harmony (Romans 12:16)” at the University of South Carolina’s Pastides Alumni Center, (900 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201) on March 22nd, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The symposium mission is to look through the lens of the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant faith teachings to better understand how our loving God has protected His flock and the issues facing Christians today. Get your FREE ticket on EVENTBRITE. For additional information, please visit www.archons.org/2025USC. For questions, please contact Symposium322@gmail.com. | | | | | | | | Israel strikes targets in southern Syria after demanding demilitarisation The Guardian Israeli warplanes have carried out several airstrikes on military targets outside Damascus and in southern Syria, as Israeli officials warned the country’s army not to move south of the capital city.Israeli jets struck military sites late on Tuesday in the town of Kiswah, south of Damascus, as well as in the southern province of Deraa, local Syrian media reported. | | | | | | | | Syria’s Anglicans Cautiously Hopeful The Living Church The fall of the of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, brought an end to more than 60 years of rule by the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party and all but ended a brutal 12-year civil war. But it also stoked fears from the Christian minority in the country — fears about what the future would hold. Syria is ruled by a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham movement, which emerged from the al-Nusra Front, an offshoot of al-Qaeda. | | | | | | | | Sanders introduces new resolutions to block U.S. arms sales to Israel Mondoweiss Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is once again introducing legislation aimed at halting U.S. arms sales to Israel. The Senator’s office says that the four, new Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) would block $8.56 billion worth of weapons to the country. The proposed arms package includes 2,166 Small Diameter Bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs, tens of thousands of fuzes, thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits for use on bombs, 3,000 Hellfire Missiles, and 10,000 155mm High Explosive artillery shells. | | | | | | | | | | Shareback on Holy Land Coordination Trip On Monday, February 24th 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) shared insights from the ground. Panelists included Rt. Rev. Bishop Christopher Chessun and the USCCB's Director of Peace & Justice, Christopher Ljungquist. | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
