August 30th News Bulletin

Public Statement: Churches for Middle East Peace Condemns the Escalation of Settler Violence and Illegal Land Confiscation in the West Bank 

Washington, D.C. August 29, 2024: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) unequivocally condemns the escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and the ongoing illegal confiscation of Palestinian land. We stand in solidarity with Palestinian families facing dispossession and violence, as well as with those who have been wrongfully detained for defending their internationally recognized human rights.

A Bedouin sheep farmer weeps in Uum Jamal, a small West Bank village, as he packs up his family's belongings Aug. 16. Israeli settlers harassed and threatened the community for a week, finally convincing them to leave. A Christian delegation from the U.S., which included Catholics, provided a protective presence as the farmers evacuated. (Life on Earth Pictures/Paul Jeffrey)

US delegation supports Palestinians fleeing West Bank violence, prays at Gaza border

National Catholic Reporter

“A day after Israeli settlers attacked a village in the occupied West Bank, setting houses and cars ablaze and killing a Palestinian, members of a nearby Bedouin herding community abandoned their village of Uum Jamal in fear. The women and children had already fled with sheep, cattle and other livestock, and on Aug. 16 a group of men quickly hoisted bags of animal feed and household belongings onto truck beds and trailers.”

CMEP notes that multiple CMEP affiliates were present at these events including: 

Scott Wright - CMEP Board Member with Pax Christi USA; John Paarlberg - CMEP Regional Coordinator; Mercy Aiken - NEME Relationship Manager

"The Displacement of the Population of Gaza"

This 15-minute explainer from CMEP's Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, is available on CMEP's YouTube here. This video takes the viewer through the various displacements of the population of the Gaza strip, including Israel's and the US Government's leaders' decisions and responses. It highlights what this has meant for the people living there in terms of resources and basic needs and includes quotes from various aid agencies and other voices from the ground.

A Palestinian girl is examined by a doctor at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza on August 18, 2024 [Ramadan Abed/Reuters]

UN says Israel agrees to pauses in Gaza fighting for polio vaccinations

Aljazeera

"The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has received a “preliminary commitment” allowing for temporary “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza to distribute polio vaccines as deteriorating conditions caused by Israel’s war fuel the spread of disease and illness throughout the besieged strip. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Palestinian territory, said on Thursday that the three pauses will take place from 6am to 3pm (03:00 to 12:00 GMT) and last for three days each in different areas of Gaza, beginning on Sunday."

CMEP in Seattle Regional Tour:
Churches for Middle East Peace is excited to share a series of regional events in the Seattle, WA area between September 13-22, 2024 featuring CMEP executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, and programs and outreach manager, Destiny Magnett. 

Save the Date: October 6th Solidarity Sunday
We invite you to save the date for another Solidarity Sunday call to worship on October 6th, 2024 as we prepare for the anniversary of the October 7th attacks. More information will be available soon.  

CMEP Daily Regional Updates

Everyday CMEP Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon releases 10 minute updates on Middle East news of the past 24 hours. This is a great way to stay informed on the ongoing situations. If you would like to watch these daily updates you can do so below.

Uniting Women for Change a "And Still We Rise" Podcast

This six-episode podcast series is produced by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). Co-hosts Destiny Magnett and Tamar Haddad engage American and Palestinian women from diverse age groups and backgrounds in candid conversations, with special attention to current events unfolding since October 7th.

The health ministry said Israeli forces had surrounded two hospitals in Jenin.

At least 10 Palestinians killed in Israeli raids in West Bank

BBC

“Israeli media reported that hundreds of Israeli forces were active in four different cities at least in the north of the West Bank – Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas and Nablus. The Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank said on Wednesday morning the bodies of seven people had been brought to Tubas governmental hospital and that two others had arrived at Jenin governmental hospital.”
 

Ibrahim and Mohammed after the vehicle was stopped.

 Israeli settlers are seizing Palestinian land under cover of war - they hope permanently

BBC

“Part of a Unesco World Heritage site, Battir is known for its olive groves and vineyards. But now it is the latest flashpoint over settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel has approved a new Jewish settlement here, taking away privately owned land for new settler houses and new outposts have been set up without even Israeli authorisation.”

Displaced Palestinians shelter in a United Nations-run school, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, August 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed/File Photo Purchase Licensing Right

UN food agency suspends staff movement in Gaza after vehicle fired on

Reuters

“The United Nations World Food Programme temporarily suspended movement of its employees across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, saying at least 10 bullets struck one of its clearly marked vehicles as it approached an Israeli military checkpoint. WFP said in a statement that a convoy of two armoured vehicles received "multiple clearances by Israeli authorities to approach" the Wadi Gaza bridge checkpoint on Tuesday evening. Bullets hit one of the vehicles, but no one in it was hurt.”

Kaid Farhan Elkadi is the eighth hostage rescued by Israeli forces since the start of the war in Gaza.

Rescued Israeli pleads for hostage deal with Hamas

BBC

“A Bedouin Arab man rescued in Gaza has urged Israel to reach a deal with Hamas to free all the remaining hostages, as details of his suffering in captivity have emerged. Kaid Farhan Elkadi, 52, was rescued on Tuesday in a "complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip", the Israeli military said.”

Screen Grab from Euro News article.

EU foreign policy chief tables sanctions on hardline Israeli ministers for hate crimes

Euro News

“The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has proposed sanctioning Israeli ministers for hate speech and incitement to war crimes, in another bid to toughen the bloc's response to Israel's war in Gaza. "I initiated the procedure to ask member states if they want (to) include in our list of sanctions some Israeli ministers (who) have been launching hate messages, unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians and proposing things that clearly go against international law, and (are) an incitation to commit war crimes," Borrell told reporters on Thursday morning.”

Beyond the Headlines August 26th

On August 26th Churches for Middle East Peace held 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 payed specific attention to the current crisis in Gaza. You can watch the recording here.

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