 |  | March 13th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. |
| | 1. Iran's UN envoy says 1,332 Iranian civilians killed in war Reuters "Iran's U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Friday that at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have died so far in the conflict with Israel and the U.S., and that thousands more have been injured. Two U.S. officials told Reuters U.S. investigators believe it is likely U.S. forces were responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls' school that killed scores of children on Saturday, but have not yet reached a final conclusion." |
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| 2. ‘Reprehensible’: New wave of Iranian missiles, drones target Gulf nations Al Jazeera "Iranian missiles and drones continue to target Gulf countries, with Bahrain’s state oil company declaring force majeure on Monday for its shipments after its refinery caught fire in an Iranian attack. Gulf airspace has been shut and oil production and supply disrupted after Iran targeted US assets located in Gulf countries in retaliation for attacks by the United States and Israel on the country since February 28." |
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| 3. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader? BBC "Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, has been chosen as his successor. Unlike his father, the 56-year-old has largely kept a low profile. He has never held government office, nor given public speeches or interviews, and only a limited number of photos and videos of him have ever been published. But for years there have been rumours that he held considerable influence behind the scenes in Iran." |
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| 4. War returns to Lebanon Vatican News "Since the full-scale war resumed on 2 March, around 600 people have been killed, and more than 700,000 have fled their homes and communities in Lebanon. The residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs have been fleeing by the tens of thousands since the Israeli army issued an evacuation order on 5 March, with Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warning these suburbs would soon look “like Khan Younis,” the devastated city in the Gaza Strip." |
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| 5. Israeli tank fire kills Lebanese priest who refused to leave CNN News "Lebanon's National News Agency says Israeli shelling has killed a priest from a Christian village in southern Lebanon, where local residents are pledging to stay after Israeli military escalated evacuation orders and attacks". |
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| 6. Oil price tops $100 again as Iran strikes economic targets across Middle East The Guardian "As Donald Trump vowed to "finish the job" and press ahead with the US-Israel war on Iran, the country’s regime stepped up retaliatory strikes on economic targets across the region. Several merchant ships were struck in and around the strait of Hormuz, one of the most important arteries in global trade. Three crew members onboard one of the ships – the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree – were "believed to be trapped", the vessel’s owner said". |
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| | 7. Israeli air and tank strikes kills six Palestinians in Gaza, medics say Reuters "An Israeli airstrike and tank shelling killed six Palestinians, including two women and a girl, in separate attacks in Gaza City on Sunday, the deadliest incidents in Gaza since the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran began a week ago, health officials said. Mohamed Abu Selmia, the head of the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, said three men were killed in an airstrike near Al-Azhar University in western Gaza City - a paramedic Mohammad Hamduna, and two others named as Mohammad Abu Shedeq and Ahmed Lafi." |
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| 8. Israeli settler violence rises in West Bank under Iran war curbs Reuters "Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank are taking advantage of curbs on movement imposed during the war on Iran to attack Palestinians, with military roadblocks preventing ambulances reaching victims quickly, rights groups and medics say. Settlers have killed at least five Palestinians in the West Bank since the United States and Israel began airstrikes against Iran on February 28, according to the Palestinian health ministry. A sixth man died after inhaling teargas fired during an attack, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem". |
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| 9. 6 dead after U.S. military refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Here's what to know PBS "All six crew members of a KC-135 refueling aircraft supporting operations against Iran are dead, the U.S. military said Friday, after their plane crashed in western Iraq. The U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in "friendly airspace," and that the other plane landed safely." |
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| 10. What we know about the car ramming attack on a Michigan synagogue NBC Yesterday, CMEP was grieved by the news of a car ramming at Temple Israel synagogue in Michigan, the latest in a series of violent attacks on Jewish places of worship in the U.S. and Canada. In these instances, mere condemnation alone is not enough. As the Gospel calls us to love our neighbors, (Matthew 22:39) we encourage churches and Christian communities to reach out to their Jewish neighbors with words of encouragement, sympathy, and support anytime instances of violence take place. A gesture as simple as a phone call can be a deep show of solidarity. |
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| | May 5-7: Joint Christian Advocacy Summit 2026
Location Announced: Shiloh Baptist Church: 1500 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Join CMEP and a broad coalition of co-sponsors May 5-7, 2026 as we converge in Washington, DC for a Joint Christian Advocacy Summit for the Middle East. Centered on the theme “Do Right; Seek Justice (Is. 1:17): Christians Uniting Against Oppression in Palestine/Israel,” this gathering will equip and mobilize Christian advocates from across the country in support of U.S. policies that uphold dignity, human rights, and lasting security for all who call the region home. Attendees will learn from experts, gain advocacy skills, and have the opportunity to meet with their congressional offices to call for a just peace in the Holy Land. |
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| March 05, 2026: What does Amos say about Israel and Gaza? Since the beginning of Israel's escalated assault on the Gaza strip, there have been mixed messages among the US Christian community. In a mix of commending and condemning, theological confusion has surrounded the discourse about this ongoing violence. While dicussion of sin and salvation all too often focuses exclusively on individualism, the book of Amos reminds us that no nations are beyond the reach of prophetic critique. Just as Amos condemned brutality and dehumanization in Judah, Moab, and Gaza, the world must take notice as organizations like the Human Rights Watch describe Israel's conduct in Gaza as amounting to war crimes. Amos tells us that God cares about injustice everywhere, and we must act concretely against these injustices. Even in small acts to change the shapes of the hearts and minds around us, our work and prayers can recover a more public and accountable faith.
This article was written by CMEP AWCF Rubin McClain. |
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| March 11, 2026: A Call for Peace and Prayers from Bethlehem and Beit Sahour This P4P, written by Rev. Ashraf K. Tannous of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, asks us to join in prayer for a peaceful and just resolution to the tragic conflict ongoing in and around the Holy Land. As the Middle East continues to face this crisis, we must pressure our leaders and governments to stop this war and respect international law. Even with such an uncertain future, it is our job to ensure that peace, love, and faith can be preserved for generations to come. |
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| March 12, 2026: No Catholic Brand of Christian Zionism, or Tolerance for Antisemitism "In recent weeks, there has been an unfolding public conversation on the political right about Christian Zionism and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. This debate has extended to Catholics—with some claiming, and others rejecting, the compatibility of Catholicism and Zionism. As co-authors of a forthcoming book on Palestine, Israel, and Catholic Social Teaching, we feel the debate has brought to the surface important questions with which Catholics must grapple. At the same time, it has caused significant confusion around Church teachings on the relationship with the Jewish people and the modern state of Israel. How might Catholics think about these issues?" This article was written by CMEP Catholic Advisory Council members Jordan Denari Duffner and Julie Schumacher Cohen. |
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| Still Active: ACTION ALERT "Block the Bombs Act" On May 21st, 2025, House Resolution 3565 was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives, also known as the "Block the Bombs Act." The resolution calls for a limit on the sale of bombs, ammunition (including white phosphorus), and ammunition manufacturing capability. The act comes as Israel has strengthened its assault on Gaza and the West Bank, with an estimated death toll since October 7th, 2023 standing at 54,000 Palestinian men, women, and children. Congress needs to pressure the Trump Administration to protect Palestinian civilians through the passage of HRes. 3565. Your voice can push your representative to support this vital resolution and limit offensive weapon capabilities of Israel, protecting Gazan civilians from relentless bombs. Contact your representative and urge them to support the initiative. This is Action Alert is still on going and currently has gathered support from 61 Co-Sponsors! |
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| Thursday Weekly News Briefing
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 and ask questions at the end. Every Thursday from 10:30-11:15 am Eastern. |
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| | Support CMEP’s Work for Peace
If you value the programs and advocacy efforts highlighted in the bulletin, we invite you to partner with us. Your generosity makes it possible for CMEP to continue hosting events, leading education initiatives, and amplifying voices for justice and peace in the Middle East. If you would like to support CMEP in expanding this important work, please consider making a donation today. Thank you for standing with us. |
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| CMEP Presents a Lenten of Lament and Hope dedicated to Palestinian Children Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is pleased to offer this 2026 Lenten Devotional series as a sacred companion for the journey from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week. Available as a downloadable PDF for a suggested donation, this collection is designed for individual reflection or use within church communities. This Lent, we are invited to slow down, to listen, and to open our hearts. Each devotion is centered on a piece of artwork created by Palestinian children living in the Holy Land. These images speak with honesty, longing, and hope. The works of art are paired with prayerful reflections written by CMEP, guiding us to contemplate suffering and resilience, lament and love, repentance and renewal. As we walk the way of the cross, these devotions call us into deeper solidarity, inviting us to see the Holy Land through the eyes of its children and to encounter Christ anew in places of pain and perseverance. May this Lenten journey draw us closer to God, to one another, and to the work of justice, peace, and compassion in the world. |
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| March 05, 2026: From Condemnation to Consequnces Churches for Middle East Peace is happy to co-sponsor the World Council of Churches' "From Condemnation to Consequences" campaign. This new project, running through the end of March, demands legally grounded consequnces for Israel's persistent violations of international law. As war with Iran further obscures the situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territory, this campaign provides webinars, factsheets, and calls to action to empower participants to help challenge the system of impunity that has allowed the continued violations of international law. |
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| | | | March 18, 2026: Inter-Faith Iftar and Art Gallery Auction Join CMEP Senior Director of Advocacy & Government Relations, Kyle Cristofalo, at the Jerusalem Fund's first-ever interfaith Iftar on March 18, 2026. The Iftar will feature remarks from Kyle Cristofalo and Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown University. The evening is planned as a civic and educational gathering in solidarity with Palestinian families who are trying to observe Ramadan under conditions of siege, occupation, and displacement. It will also feature auctioning artwork by Zahi Khamis, a Palestinian Christian artist from Nazareth. The event starts at 6:30PM. |
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| April 03, 2026: Way of the Cross for Peace and Justice Churches for Middle East Peace is happy to co-sponsor the 2026 Way of the Cross for Justice and Peace. This event is a public prayer meant to connect the suffering of Jesus with the suffering of people around the world today. By walking to stations across downtown DC, participants have the opportunity to reflect on the crisis facing the Middle East, while also lifting up signs of hope and solidarity. The walk will begin outside the National Archives at 12pm on April 3, and will be around two hours with two miles of walking. |
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| | March 24, 2026: Who is My Neighbor? How Christians Can Challenge Islamophobia and Advocate for Just Peace in Times of Fear In times of heightened fear, polarization, and violence here at home and around the world, Christian communities are called to reflect deeply on what it means to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39). On March 24th, join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign (S2S) for a critical conversation exploring the links between challenging Islamophobia in our churches and communities and advocating for a just peace in both the United States and the Middle East. This online session features scholar-practitioners Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, and Dr. Jordan Denari Duffner, each of whom bring expertise in Christian-Muslim relations and community advocacy, as well as familiarity with Israel/Palestine peacebuilding efforts. Together, we will consider how church communities can faithfully and impactfully build bridges and foster solidarity with our neighbors.
This event will take place via Zoom from 2pm-3:15pm. |
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| April 20, 2026: Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle-Families Forum Joint Memorial Day Ceremony Churches for Middle East Peace is proud to co-sponsor the Joint Memorial Day Ceremony of the Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle-Families Forum. Seeking to transform sorrow into collective resolve, this event has brought together Israelis and Palestinians for more than two decades. Even after two and a half years of continued suffering and violence, this year's ceremony will demonstrate that even in times of strife, solidarity is not only possible, but imperative. |
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| May 5-7: Joint Christian Advocacy Summit 2026
Location Announced: Shiloh Baptist Church: 1500 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Join CMEP and a broad coalition of co-sponsors May 5-7, 2026 as we converge in Washington, DC for a Joint Christian Advocacy Summit for the Middle East. Centered on the theme “Do Right; Seek Justice (Is. 1:17): Christians Uniting Against Oppression in Palestine/Israel,” this gathering will equip and mobilize Christian advocates from across the country in support of U.S. policies that uphold dignity, human rights, and lasting security for all who call the region home. Attendees will learn from experts, gain advocacy skills, and have the opportunity to meet with their congressional offices to call for a just peace in the Holy Land. |
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| Spring 2026 Solidarity Pilgrimage + Christ at the Checkpoint May 22 - May 31 Join Churches for Middle East Peace as we journey to Israel/Palestine in May 2026 for a solidarity pilgrimage. This trip will highlight the spiritual significance of the land, the role of local Christians in shaping the region’s past and present, and opportunities to meet with religious, academic, and non-profit leaders working toward peace and justice in the land. Alongside visits to sacred sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and beyond, the itinerary includes participation in the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, offering an opportunity to hear from Palestinian Christian leaders and global advocates committed to justice, reconciliation, and nonviolence. |
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| | | 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 |
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