August 16th News Bulletin

In partnership with Humanitarian Orgs CMEP releases “Gaza Humanitarian Access Snapshot #3”

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) joins leading humanitarian agencies as they outline how new ‘evacuation orders’ and relentless airstrikes have forced the displacement of over 200,000 Palestinians since mid-July, many of whom had already been displaced multiple times. Israel’s ongoing blockade has only tightened, leaving aid convoys stranded and essential supplies inaccessible to the millions in need.

Seal of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Stands with Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem and all Christians in calling for Religious Freedom in Israel

CMEP stands with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in its criticism of the decision by the Israeli police to close and ban Christian worshippers from participating in the sacred services of the Feast of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in Israel. The protection of religious practices and the freedom to worship for all people regardless of creed or belief is a fundamental principle of a democratic society.

Child deaconesses walk past the rubble of a collapsed building in a procession during the Palm Sunday service outside the Greek Orthodox Church of St Porphyrius in Gaza City on April 28, 2024 (AFP photo)

CMEP in the News: 'Gaza's 2000 Year-Old Christian Community Could Completely Disappear'

MENAFN

“Palestinian State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, who is of Armenian origin, highlighted the gravity of the situation during her meeting with a delegation from Churches for Middle East Peace.“Israel killed 3 per cent of Gaza's Christians since October,” she told the gathering.”

CMEP has received confirmation that St. Porphyrius Church (Gaza) suffered damage after a second bombing, resulting in several injuries on July 30, 2024.

Relatives mourn over the bodies of Palestinian family members killed during an Israeli attack on Nuseirat refugee camp, after they were brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on August 9. Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in 10 months of war in Gaza, health ministry says

CNN

"More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its war on Hamas following the group’s October 7 attack, the health ministry in the enclave said Thursday, yet another dark milestone in the 10-month-old conflict. The ministry said 40 people had died in Gaza during the past 24 hours, taking the total number of deaths since October 7 to 40,005 – about one in every 55 people in the enclave. More than 92,401 have been injured."
 

Beyond the Headlines August 26th
Join Churches for Middle East Peace on August 26th for a special webinar focusing on women working at the intersections of journalism and media in Palestine, and the unique role women play in shaping stories coming out of the Middle East. This webinar will pay specific attention to the current crisis in Gaza.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a joint meeting of congress at the Cpitol in Washington DC, July 24, 2024 (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, file)

US approves $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel amid threat of wider Middle East war

AP News

“The U.S. has approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including scores of fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles, the State Department announced Tuesday. Congress was notified of the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs, 120 mm tank ammunition and high explosive mortars and tactical vehicles and comes at a time of intense concern that Israel may become involved in a wider Middle East war.”

Palestinians stand by buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Deir al-Balah, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Amnesty's report focused on two strikes in this neighborhood. Hatem Moussa/AP

Amnesty investigation claims US-made weapon used in two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that killed 43 civilians

CNN

“An investigation by Amnesty International alleges that a US-made weapons guidance system was used in two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in October in which 43 civilians are said to have been killed. Fragments of the US-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions guidance system were found in the rubble of destroyed homes in the neighborhood of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to a report released Tuesday by the human rights organization.”

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza say this is the last chance for a deal.

High-stakes Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks resume in Doha

BBC News

"The US says there has been a “promising start” to the new round of talks in Doha on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza Strip, as the number of Palestinians reported killed in the war between Israel and Hamas surpassed 40,000. An agreement is seen as key to stopping the 10-month conflict spiralling into an all-out regional war involving Iran, but expectations of a breakthrough are low."

"Israel’s Smotrich promises 'a million’ new settlers under expansion plan." (Image Screen Grab from AJ)

Israel approves new illegal settlement on UNESCO site near Bethlehem

Aljazeera

“Israel has approved a new illegal settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Bezalel Smotrich, the country’s far-right finance minister, said on Wednesday his office had “completed its work and published a plan for the new Nahal Heletz settlement in Gush Etzion”, a bloc of illegal settlements south of Jerusalem.”
 

Evangelicalism’s Relentless Zeal for Israel’s Relentless War on Gaza: with advocate Mae Elise Cannon

On August 13th Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon joined  Christian Forum on Israel-Palestine for a compelling virtual conversation on the Western (Evangelical) Church's unwavering support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. You can watch the conversation below.

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(202) 543-1222  info@cmep.org