| | Arab- and English-Speaking Episcopalians Form Unique Faith Partnership in Michigan A look at faith partnerships, demolitions and work permits, and more news in this week’s bulletin. Image: The Rev. Halim Shukair was born into a Christian family in Lebanon. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 2018 and serves as priest-in-charge of Mother of the Savior in Dearborn, Michigan. (Bechara Damouni) | | | |  | Image: The Rev. Halim Shukair was born into a Christian family in Lebanon. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 2018 and serves as priest-in-charge of Mother of the Savior in Dearborn, Michigan. (Bechara Damouni) | | | Arab- and English-speaking Episcopalians form unique faith partnership in Michigan Episcopal News Service “Two Episcopal congregations in Dearborn, Michigan — one Arabic-speaking, the other English-speaking — have been sharing worship space, liturgy, Bible study, conversation and food, and are partnering to create beloved community together. Partnership in Faith is a unique relationship between Christ Episcopal Church and Mother of the Savior, a blended Episcopal-Lutheran congregation in Dearborn, a Detroit suburb. It fosters intercultural relationships, said the Rev. Terri C. Pilarski, rector of Christ Church, and presents an opportunity to welcome people who may feel isolated or marginalized." Interested in becoming a Church Partner with CMEP? Learn More | | | | | | | |  | Image: File - In this May 13, 2021, file photo, smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes on a building in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa, File) | | | Human Rights Watch: Israeli war crimes apparent in Gaza war
AP News “Human Rights Watch on Tuesday (July 27) accused the Israeli military of carrying out attacks that ‘apparently amount to war crimes’ during an 11-day war in May against the Hamas militant group. The international human rights organization issued its conclusions after investigating three Israeli airstrikes that it said killed 62 Palestinian civilians. It said ‘there were no evident military targets in the vicinity’ of the attacks. The report also accused Palestinian militants of apparent war crimes by launching over 4,000 unguided rockets and mortars at Israeli population centers. Such attacks, it said, violate ‘the prohibition against deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against civilians.’” Learn more about the Gaza Strip with CMEP’s resources. | | | | | | | |  | Image: Workers dismantle tents during a demolition operation led by Israeli security forces, of a Palestinian Bedouin encampment in the area of Humsa, east of the village of Tubas in the Jordan Valley, July 7, 2021. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP via Getty Images) | | | Israel continues demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank
Al-Monitor “Dozens of Palestinians who live in the Bedouin community Ras al-Tin in the Jordan Valley were caught by surprise when Israeli forces raided the area July 14 and confiscated 49 structures of residents and their cattle, which constitute the source of income of 84 Palestinians. Abu Salama Ersheidat, mayor of Ras al-Tin, told Al-Monitor, ‘The occupation forces raided the community suddenly, without prior notice, and confiscated people’s tents, animal pens, 13 solar cells to generate electricity, plastic water tanks, seven large water cisterns, an agricultural tractor and livestock fodder.’” What do I need to know about settlements and displacement? | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Follow us on social media! Are you following @ChurchesforMEP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? Follow us today to see how we are encouraging peace and dialogue in the Middle East. | | | | |  | Let CMEP Help Bring the Holy Land to You: Whether you want to have a casual evening of experiencing the culture of the Middle East or host an in depth discussion on the religious history of the land, current theological conversations, and the root causes of the recent escalations in Israel and Palestine, CMEP can facilitate a remote event for you. | | | | |  | CMEP in the News: Christian Nationalism and Christian Zionism: Two Sides of the Same Coin? Read Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and her co-author Bruce Fisk’s article discussing the relationship between Christian Nationalists and Christian Zionists. | | | | | | Volunteer with CMEP! Volunteers make all the difference at CMEP! If you want to get involved, contact info@cmep.org for more information. | | | | | | | | | |  | Image: Palestinian workers from the West Bank city of Hebron carry personal belongings as they cross into Israel through a hole in security fence near the West Bank city of Hebron, January 31, 2021. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90) | | | Israel to give work permits to 16,000 more Palestinians in bid to strengthen PA
Times of Israel “The Israeli government is set to increase the number of work permits for West Bank Palestinians by 16,000 amid calls by Israeli officials to strengthen the ailing Palestinian Authority economy. According to the Defense Ministry, the Israeli military body charged with handling Palestinian civilian affairs — known by its acronym COGAT — informed senior Palestinian officials on Wednesday (July 28) of the intention to offer additional permits.” | | | | | | | |  | Image: A labourer works on a production line filling ice-cream pots at the Ben & Jerry's factory in Be'er Tuvia in southern Israel, on 21 July (AFP/File photo) | | | Progressive Jewish groups urge US governors not to penalise Ben & Jerry's
Middle East Eye “A coalition of progressive Jewish groups is calling on US governors to block efforts to penalise Ben & Jerry's and its parent company Unilever over its decision to stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements. In a letter to 33 governors of states with anti-BDS laws, the groups said that boycotting Israeli settlements is not a form of antisemitism, but rather a way to encourage a two-state solution - a policy long supported by both Democrats and Republicans." | | | | | | | |  | Image: Screengrab from CNN video. (CNN) | | | What's happening in Tunisia and why it matters
CNN “After Tunisian President Kais Saied suspended Parliament, the Prime Minister he sacked now says he accepted his dismissal for the good of the country, which is struggling from a Covid-19 outbreak and worsening economic turmoil." | | | | | | | | 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)
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(202) 543-1222 | info@cmep.org | | | | | | | | | |
