 | September 11th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. |
| | 1. UK government bans goods from Israeli settlements and accuses settlers of ‘ethnic cleansing’ AP News "The United Kingdom on Tuesday banned trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, where it says 'settler terrorists' are carrying out 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians, in a significant toughening of Britain’s stance toward a longtime ally. France and Canada announced they would take similar action in an attempt to prevent expanding settlements and growing violence from making it impossible to establish a future Palestinian state. Israel responded angrily and said it would close the British consulate in Jerusalem." |
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| 2. US ambassador visits Palestinian town amid rise in West Bank settler violence Reuters "U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday met with Palestinian Americans, including relatives of U.S. citizens killed during settler attacks in a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank that has been the target of settler violence. The Israeli government has condemned settler violence, though perpetrators are rarely arrested and even less frequently prosecuted. Washington has not criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over the violence, though has called for perpetrators to be prosecuted with Huckabee labelling them as terrorists." |
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| 3. UAE warned Netanyahu of major Hamas operation days before Oct. 7 attack, news report says AP News "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was directly warned by the president of the United Arab Emirates that Hamas was planning a major offensive just days before the militant group attacked on Oct. 7, 2023, according to an Israeli newspaper report. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed spoke with Netanyahu 10 days before the attack and said Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza at the time, was planning an operation, the Haaretz daily said. […] But Netanyahu “reacted with relative calm,” according to Haaretz, which said he assured bin Zayed that Israel was prepared for any scenario and a possible attack was more likely to come from the occupied West Bank." |
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| 4. Netanyahu partners renew calls for removal of Gazans as Israeli election nears Reuters "Two Israeli ministers floated proposals this week for the mass removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, resurfacing an idea voiced repeatedly by right-wing politicians over the past three years as they seek to rally supporters ahead of an election. The calls by two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political allies have revived Palestinian fears that Israel ultimately aims to forcibly expel them from Gaza despite U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict there." |
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| 5. Kushner: Israel acting ‘a little irrational’ on Gaza due to upcoming election Times of Israel "US special envoy Jared Kushner said on Sunday that next month’s Knesset election has made Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government act “a little irrational” when it comes to Gaza, amid Israel’s rejection of the Board of Peace’s proposal to disarm Hamas and ongoing strikes on the enclave. 'I think we agree with the Israelis on the end state for Gaza,' Kushner said at a press appearance during a visit to Kyiv, where he was taking part in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. 'They just have crazy elections, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards,' he added." |
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| | 6. Israel's Netanyahu orders removal of West Bank settler outposts, sources say Reuters "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered unauthorized settler outposts in the West Bank to be dismantled, two people familiar with the matter said on Sunday, amid pressure from the U.S. to crack down on settler attacks on Palestinians. The order applies to outposts established by settlers without official authorisation from the Israeli state, the sources said. Outposts typically consist of prefabricated caravans and house a small number of settlers. The state has from time to time demolished such structures and also formally recognized others, allowing them to access government funding." |
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| 7. The dangerous journey home for Christian communities in southern Lebanon EWTN News "Along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, three Christian villages have found themselves caught on the front line of a war they neither chose nor supported. […] Since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into a full-scale war in 2024, residents have endured deaths, destruction and growing isolation from the rest of the country. […] With the usual roads damaged or inaccessible, residents must travel in organized convoys through military checkpoints and Israeli-occupied territory, an ordeal some have come to call 'road to Calvary.'" |
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| 8. Rights groups urge US lawmakers to drop provision to deepen defense ties with Israel Reuters "Dozens of civil rights and advocacy groups are urging Congress to scrap a defense bill provision that would deepen U.S.-Israeli military technology ties, according to a letter seen by Reuters, at a time of growing U.S. skepticism toward the longtime ally. The provision would deepen cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli defense sectors by accelerating joint military technology development and other partnerships. The bill passed the House of Representatives in July and awaits Senate action." |
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| | Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Delegation of Churches for Middle East Peace On September 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received a delegation of Churches for Middle East Peace at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Ecumenical Relations of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. During the meeting, Archbishop Vicken introduced the delegation members to His Holiness and spoke about the organization’s efforts to promote peace in the Middle East and support Christian communities. |
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| Action Alert: Funding for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network in the 2027 Fiscal Year As the IDF moves further into Gaza, it is forcing the entirety of Gaza’s remaining population into just 30% of the strip’s area, where the medical situation grows increasingly untenable. It is in this environment of shortage and restriction that the East Jerusalem Hospital Network (EJHN) operates and makes its vital impact. They are the only hope for Gazans, and even West Bankers, in need of sustained, complex treatment for their survival. To secure funding and ensure EJHN can continue to serve the vulnerable of the West Bank and Gaza, urge your Member of Congress to pressure the State Department to allocate the EJHN funds. |
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| Action Alert: Tell Congress to Respond to Settler Violence and Protect Palestinian Lives Since October 7th, 2023, illegal Israeli settlements have grown and spread across the West Bank in complete contravention of international and even Israeli law. These settlements undermine Palestinian access to critical natural resources and land and undermine hope for a just and lasting solution. Furthermore, the Israeli settlers at the forefront of these illegal land grabs assault Palestinians with almost no punishment from the Israeli justice system — and many times are aided by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). To stop this violence, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) calls for immediate U.S pressure on Israel to stop approving settlements and prosecute those that commit crimes against Palestinians. |
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| Blogging for Peace: Follow Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of CMEP, on Substack Stay up to date with reflections from CMEP Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. Her Substack features updates on developments in Gaza and across the Middle East, commentary on U.S. policy, CMEP webinars and events, meeting transcripts, and reflections on faith, justice, and peace. |
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| | | | September 13, 2026: Let Children Live A Guest Sermon at Grinnell UCC Join CMEP programs and outreach manager, Destiny Magnett, at Grinnell UCC (Grinnell, Iowa) on Sunday, September 13th as she delivers a guest sermon on Matthew 18:10-14 inspired by CMEP’s 2025 Let Children Live campaign. Join us in person if you’re local, or online through livestream. |
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| September 22, 2026: Christian-Muslim Cooperation for Palestinian Human Rights Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, and International Qur'an Research Association (IQRA) President, Dr. Safi Kaskas, for an interfaith webinar on the role of Christian and Muslim organizations in advocating for peace and justice in the Holy Land. As a land holy to all, this webinar will explore our role as faith based organizations in advocating for human rights and exploring how Christians and Muslims can work side-by-side to pursue a just future for the Holy Land. |
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| October 22, 2026: Peacebuilding Lessons from the Middle East Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET This moment in history is marked by profound brokenness and trauma affecting individuals, communities, and nations alike. In a world increasingly divided by conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, Christians from the region offer invaluable insights on resiliently living out one’s faith amidst adversity. Join Churches for Middle East Peace executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, for this course exploring the vibrant, living church in the Holy Land, with a focus on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories as they strive to deepen their relationship with God through their commitment to peace and justice within their communities. This workshop takes an interdisciplinary approach, interweaving history, practical theology, and contemporary ministry practices in peacebuilding. Participants will gain access to essential tools for spiritual formation and advocacy applicable in a variety of ministry settings. A central theme will be the transformative journey of learning to 'love one’s enemy,' even in the face of conflict and strife, ultimately equipping learners to apply these lessons in their own lives and ministries. |
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| November 5-7: Church at the Crossroads in Atlanta This November, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is excited to once again partner with the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice (BIPJ) as they bring the Church at the Crossroads conference to Atlanta November 5-7, 2026. Rooted in Scripture and kingdom-focussed theology, this conference invites participants to wrestle honestly with biblical questions, hear directly from the indigenous Church in the Holy Land, and discover faithful discipleship in a violent world. |
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| Christian Advocacy Summit for Just Peace in Palestine Join Christians from across the United States in Washington, D.C. April 19-21, 2027 for the Christian Advocacy Summit as we gather to uphold the cause of the oppressed (Psalm 146:7–9) and advocate for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. Over three days, participants will engage in inspiring plenary sessions, practical breakout workshops, worship, fellowship, and advocacy training focused on advancing U.S. foreign policy that promotes peace, justice, human rights, and equal dignity for all people in the Holy Land. Together, we will strengthen our shared Christian witness and prepare to engage policymakers with a unified call for a just and lasting peace. Discounted early-bird registration is available until October 15, 2026 or until we've sold our first 50 tickets–– so act fast! |
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| | Contact Us Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 505
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222 [email protected] |
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