| |
International Religious Freedom Summit Takes Place in Washington, DC A look at continuing adjustments to new administration, a historic gathering of many faiths, and more news in this week’s bulletin. Image: Image: People at prayer. (Vatican News) | | | |
 | Image: People at prayer. (Vatican News) | | | International Religious Freedom Summit takes place in Washington, DC Vatican News “Washington D.C. is hosting the first ever International Religious Freedom Summit (IRC) this week. The event, which was announced in April by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), started on July 13 and runs through to July 15, in a mixed format, bringing together more than 40 organizations of different faiths and countries committed to upholding religious freedom across the world." | | | | | |
| |
 | Image: A bulldozer is used to demolish a shed in the West Bank village of Masafer in February 2020. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90) | | | EU: 159 Palestinian structures razed under Bennett
J-Post “The European Union and the United States have both urged Israel to halt its demolitions of illegal Palestinian structures after close to 500 have been razed this year. ‘We continue to demand that Israel ceases forcible transfers, evictions, demolitions and confiscations of homes, all of which constitute violations of international humanitarian law,’ Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, head of the European Union Representative Office, said Monday (July 19)." | | | | | |
| |
 | Image: Tony Blinken (L) meets with Yair Lapid (R) in Rome, June 27. (Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) | | | Scoop: U.S. won't reopen consulate in Jerusalem until Bennett passes budget
Axios “The Biden administration has decided to hold off on reopening the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem until after Israel's new government passes a budget, likely in early November, Israeli, U.S., and Palestinian sources say. Why it matters: The decision shows how invested the Biden administration is in helping to stabilize the new Israeli government. The Prime Minister’s Office and Foreign Ministry had requested the delay." | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
 | Did You Know Members of Congress are Home in August? August is the longest state work block of the year for members of Congress! Take advantage of their presence at home to request a meeting or phone call with your senator or representative today! | | | | |  | 101 Grassroots Advocacy Guide: Learn the basics of advocating with your members of Congress with our step-by-step guide. | | | | |  | Rev. Dr. Cannon on the Do Justice Podcast Tune in to listen to CMEP's Executive Director speak on "Advocacy: It’s More than Social Media." The Do Justice blog is produced by CMEP board member communion the Christian Reform Church. | | | | | |
Support CMEP today! Online Shopping? Don't forget to set Churches for Middle East Peace as your charity partner on amazon.smile.com! | | | | | | | | | |
 | Image: A worker scoops Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. (Getty Images) | | | Israeli PM vows 'aggressive' action over ice cream ban by Ben & Jerry's
The Hill “Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is pushing back against Ben & Jerry’s move to stop selling its products in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, saying the ban will have ‘serious consequences.’ The ice cream maker announced Monday (July 19) it is ending its license agreement with its Israeli manufacturer and distributor when it expires in 2022, and that the ice cream will no longer be available in ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory.’ The company said the sale of its ice cream in the settlements is ‘inconsistent with our values.’” | | | | | |
| |
 | Image: Israeli security forces take aim during a protest at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP) | | | Israeli police clear Al-Aqsa worshippers for Jewish visitors
Al-Jazeera “Israeli police fired tear gas and rubber-coated bullets at worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as hundreds of Jewish pilgrims headed there to mark a religious holiday. The tensions and the Jewish pilgrimage on Sunday (July 18) to the highly sensitive mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, Islam’s third-holiest site which is also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, were condemned by the Palestinians. Israel’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stood by the state’s decision to allow Jews to visit the site. | | | | | | | |  | Image: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan poses for a photograph with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (not pictured) during the NATO summit at the Alliance's headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, June 14, 2021. (Kenzo Tribouillard/Pool via Reuters) | | | Cyprus talks can resume only on two-state basis, Erdogan says
Reuters “Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday (July 20) peace talks on the future of ethnically divided Cyprus can take place only between ‘the two states’ on the Mediterranean island, in comments sure to further annoy Greek Cypriots and the EU. Turkish Cypriot officials also announced plans for the potential resettlement of a small part of the now abandoned Greek Cypriot suburb of Varosha on the island's east coast. That move too is likely to infuriate Greek Cypriots as essentially staking ownership over an area the United Nations says should be placed under the control of peacekeepers." | | | | | | | |
CMEP's Bulletin is a weekly round-up of news from the Middle East and represents an array of perspectives on the issues we cover. CMEP does not necessarily agree with all the views expressed in the articles, and they do not speak on CMEP's behalf. | | | | Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 311 | Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222 | info@cmep.org | | | | | |
| |
