 |  | August 22nd News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | 1. Palestinians flee Gaza City districts as Israel says first stages of offensive have begun BBC "Palestinians are fleeing parts of Gaza City after the Israeli military began the first stages of a planned ground offensive, officials in the city say. Israel's troops have established a foothold on the outskirts of the city - which is home to more than a million Palestinians - after days of intense bombing and artillery fire. It has prompted UN Secretary General António Guterres to renew calls for an immediate ceasefire "to avoid the death and destruction" an assault would "inevitably cause". | | | | | | 2. Hamas says it has agreed to new ceasefire proposal as mediators push to renew talks CNN "Hamas says it has agreed to a new Gaza ceasefire proposal as mediators from Qatar and Egypt push to renew talks ahead of a major Israeli assault on Gaza City. In a statement, Hamas said it had accepted the new proposal presented on Sunday by Qatar and Egypt. Basem Naim, a senior member of Hamas’ political bureau, said on social media, “The movement has accepted the new proposal from the mediators. We pray that God extinguishes the fires of this war on our people.” | | | | | | 3. Hundreds of thousands protest Gaza war as frustration grows in Israel about new offensive NBC "In the plaza that Israelis have christened “Hostage Square,” hundreds of thousands of people banged drums, shouted slogans and booed mentions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in his right-wing government. Some held pictures of those still in captivity in Gaza, others vented their frustration over plans for a new military offensive in some of the enclave’s most populated areas that many Israelis fear could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, 20 to 50 of whom are believed to be alive." | | | | | | 4. Israel begins attack on Gaza City, calling up to 60,000 reservists ABC "Israel has begun the "first stages of the attack on Gaza City" on Wednesday as it plans to call up to 50,000 to 60,000 reservists in order to occupy the city, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesman Eddie Defrin and an Israeli military official. "We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City. IDF forces are already holding the outskirts of Gaza City," Defrin said Wednesday.” | | | | | | | | July 10, 2025: 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. | | | | | | | | From CMEP's Own: 10 Perspectives on Gaza and Palestine In a polarized world, Dr. Scott Gustafson, CMEP's Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow, reminds us that Christian faith calls us beyond political “package deal ethics” to truly listen to those closest to suffering. Drawing on voices of Palestinian and Israeli Christians, pastors, medical workers, peacebuilders, and everyday families, he highlights stories of grief, resilience, and reconciliation often ignored in mainstream narratives. This piece challenges us to look past partisan filters and see Gaza through the lens of humanity, faith, and the ministry of reconciliation. | | | | | | | | Arabic News: Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon Interview with Al Qahera News Watch CMEP's Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon's interview with Egyptian Al Qahera News where she discusses the ongoing Israeli blockade of the Gaza strip. The interview is translated into Arabic. | | | | | | | | September 11-13: Church at the Crossroads Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and faithful witnesses from across the country for Church at the Crossroads, a national gathering of Christians who recognize that the church stands at a defining moment–Jesus is urgently calling us back to the narrow way of the cross. As violence escalates in Israel and Palestine, and some in the Church use Scripture to justify war, occupation, or silence, we must ask: Have we traded the gospel of peace for the false promises of security and comfort?
Rooted in Scripture and led by Palestinian Christian leaders, including CMEP executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon—alongside pastors and peacemakers from across North America—this conference invites American Christians to engage in honest reckoning, prophetic reflection, and faithful action. Through worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship, we are called to repentance, renewal, and courageous discipleship. This is a space to confront harmful theologies, rediscover the gospel of the Kingdom, and stand with all who seek justice in the land. Tickets are expected to sell out! Get yours now, using the promo code "CMEP" you'll be eligible for a small discount! | | | | | | September 16, 2025: You're Invited! From Ararat to the World
A Gala Celebrating the Launch of CMEP’s Armenian Advisory Council Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City for an unforgettable evening celebrating the launch of CMEP’s Armenian Advisory Council. This new initiative aims to strengthen engagement with Armenian communities, advocate for human rights, and support the Christian presence across the Middle East. This elegant gala will bring together ecumenical leaders, civic advocates, and philanthropic partners for a night of culture, connection, and shared purpose. Guests will enjoy a curated dinner and wine service inspired by Armenian traditions, a silent auction featuring handmade artisan goods from Armenian workshops in Jerusalem, live music, and thoughtful reflections from distinguished speakers. The evening will feature remarks from His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. Your participation will help shape this new chapter of Armenian advocacy and honor a legacy of resilience and faith that extends from Ararat to the world. | | | | | | | | September 26, 2025: CMEP Webinar: Where is Syria Now?
Join CMEP on September 26th at 6:00 PM for a webinar about Syria. The webinar will cover 3 topics of present-day Syria. We will hear from Rachel Nelson about the Jewish community in Syria, as well as Israel's ongoing occupation of Southern Syria coupled with the ongoing clashes in Suwayda. Tony Alkhoury will talk to us about the Christian community as well as the role of the Syrian Churches in crisis, where do things stand now? Finally, CMEP Board member Sasha Gosh-Siminoff will inform us about aid and development as well as the lack of a transitional justice system aimed at holding all perpetrators accountable. | | | | | | September 1st: Monthly Morning Prayer On September 1st, ahead of Church at the Crossroads (CATX), join CMEP’s Destiny Magnett and fellow CATX organizers Daniel Bannoura, Crystal Silvia-McCormick, and Tony Deik as guests for Red Letter Christians Monthly Morning Prayer. The Red Letter Christians community is dedicated to coming together on the first of every month to center ourselves on Christ through prayer. Striving to build God’s Beloved Community here in our time is tough work, but we use this time to refuel and recommit to living into God’s plan for our lives. We welcome guests and co-conspiring organizations to join us for this time of reflection and centering to share news of their work, reflect on the political moment of our world, or guide us in prayer alongside Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. | | | | | | "Peace by Piece" 2025 Speaking Tour Fall "Peace by Piece" Tour Cities Announced!Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is excited to announce our Fall 2025 “Peace by Piece” Tour coming to your area in Fall 2025 in collaboration with the Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA)! We invite you to host a meaningful event in your community centered around peacebuilding, economic justice, and advocacy related to Israel-Palestine. In collaboration with Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, this program offers a unique opportunity to support Christian-led Palestinian craftspeople while fostering dialogue about paths toward peace and justice in the Holy Land. Our tour will visit select U.S. communities, featuring both a CMEP representative and a BFTA leader from Bethlehem who will share firsthand experiences about daily life, creative resilience, and hopes for peace. This initiative is particularly timely as communities in the region continue to recover from recent violence and conflict. Our presentations will incorporate the most current insights from our team's recent visits to the region, including perspectives from diverse communities affected by ongoing tensions.
Reach out to destiny@cmep.org for more information
Planned Tour Stops: New York-- New Jersey-- Delaware-- Washington DC-- Illinois-- Minnesota-- Michigan | | | | | | | | 5. Israel approves settlement project that could divide the West Bank AP "Israel gave final approval Wednesday for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two, and that Palestinians and rights groups say could destroy hopes for a future Palestinian state. Settlement development in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades, but was frozen due to U.S. pressure during previous administrations. The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank to be illegal and an obstacle to peace." | | | | | | 6. Netanyahu accuses Australian PM of 'betraying' Israel BBC "Israel's prime minister has accused his Australian counterpart of having "betrayed Israel" and "abandoned" Australia's Jewish community, after days of growing strain between the two countries. Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that history would remember Anthony Albanese "for what he is: a weak politician". Australia barred a far-right member of Netanyahu's ruling coalition from entering the country on Monday, and Israel in turn revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority." | | | | | | 7. Pope Leo XIV to travel to Lebanon in likely first international trip BBC "Pope Leo XIV is preparing to travel to Lebanon later this year, in what could be his first journey abroad since being elected head of the Catholic Church in May. Archbishop Paul Sayah, deputy to Lebanon's highest-ranking Catholic leader, told the BBC the Vatican was "studying" the trip but that the church was still waiting for official dates. The visit would mark a significant moment for the first American Pope, who has repeatedly urged peace in the Middle East and interfaith co-existence." | | | | | | 8. World Evangelical Alliance Announces Appointment of Advocate Botrus Mansour as New Secretary General WEA "The Search Committee, mandated by the WEA International Council (IC), began the process with 25 highly qualified applicants from across the global evangelical community. After a thorough review of qualifications, interviews, and extensive consultations, the pool was narrowed to three final candidates. At its recent meeting which included interviewing the final candidates, the IC selected Advocate Botrus Mansour by a majority vote, affirming his leadership calling, proven track record, and deep commitment to the mission of the WEA." | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
