September 20th News Bulletin

Palestinian and other diplomats celebrated after the resolution was passed by 124 votes to 14, with 43 abstentions.

UN General Assembly demands Israel ends occupation of Palestinian territories

BBC

"The UN General Assembly has adopted a Palestinian-drafted, non-binding resolution demanding Israel end "its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" within 12 months. There were 124 votes in favour and 14 against, including Israel, along with 43 abstentions. As a non-member observer state, Palestine could not vote. The resolution is based on a July advisory opinion from the UN's highest court that said Israel was occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip against international law."

An ambulance carrying wounded people whose handheld pager exploded arrives outside at the American University hospital, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

20 more dead, 450 injured as new round of explosions rocks Lebanon: Health officials

ABC News

“At least 20 more people were killed and 450 injured in Lebanon on Wednesday after a series of new explosions of wireless devices rocked the South, the Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to the Ministry of Health and the Lebanese Red Cross. At least 12 civilians were killed and at least 2,800 people injured in the explosions that took place Tuesday, according to Lebanese authorities. Around 460 of the injuries were critical and required surgery, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said. Most victims are suffering from eye and facial injuries, while others suffered injuries to hands and fingers, he said.”

A file image of the site of an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of the southern village of Rachaya al-Fukhar on September 11. Rabih Daher/AFP/Getty Images.

Israeli military says 3 hostages were ‘most likely’ killed in November strike

CNN

“The Israeli military says that three Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza in December were “most likely” killed as a result of an Israeli airstrike. The hostages were two soldiers - Corporal Nick Beiser and Sergeant Ron Sherman – and and civilian man, Eliya Toledano. Recovering the hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 is one of the main goals of Israel’s campaign in Gaza and the government is under intense domestic pressure to secure their release.”

According to an Al Jazeera tally in January - when the number of children being killed by Israel in Gaza was about 10,000 - one Palestinian child was being killed every 15 minutes [File: Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu]

UN accuses Israel of ‘massive’ violation of child rights treaty in Gaza

Aljazeera

“A United Nations committee has accused Israel of severe breaches of a global treaty protecting children’s rights, saying its military actions in Gaza have had a catastrophic impact on children and are among the worst violations in recent history.”

October 7: Ecumenical Service of Lament

Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on October 7th for a virtual service of lament as we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the devastating October 7th attacks and subsequent year-long bombardment of Gaza. The event will be on zoom and in person at the United Methodist Building Chapel in D.C. It will also be recorded for later viewing. 

Exploring the Contributions of Women Towards Peace, Dignity and Justice in the Holy Land

An interreligious conversation with two important Palestinian voices, Dr. Rima Salah and Dr. Eman Abdelhadi, on the past, present, and future of women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, and the pursuit of justice and dignity in the Holy Land.

Date and Time: October 8 at 7 pm
Location: The University Dining Room (AS 104-C), in the Academic Science building, Lewis University campus in Romeoville, IL

The event will also be live streamed.

Save the Date: Better Citizens, Better World- Oct. 16-19

Churches for Middle East Peace, in partnership with Evangelicals4Justice (E4J), Christians for Social Action (CSA), the Voices Project, and the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME), invites you to save the date for conference exploring how to take small and courageous steps together with fellow Jesus-followers. The Better Citizens, Better World conference, hosted virtually October 16-19, 2024, invites participants to explore meaningful ways of engaging as thoughtful citizens who care deeply and prayerfully about our nation. Discover your important role as a citizen AND as a follower of Jesus. More information will be available soon. 

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.

Is Israel intentionally attacking aid workers?

Responsible Statecraft

“Of the 378 aid workers killed worldwide since October 7, more than 75 percent have been killed in Gaza or the West Bank, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. The number of humanitarians killed in Palestinian territory in the last three months of 2023 was more than the deadliest full year ever recorded for aid workers.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Bernie Sanders preparing resolutions to block $20B in US arms sales to Israel

AP News

“Sen. Bernie Sanders is preparing several resolutions that would stop more than $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel, a longshot effort but the most substantive pushback yet from Congress over the devastation in Gaza ahead of the first year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war. In a letter to Senate colleagues on Wednesday, Sanders said the U.S. cannot be “complicit in this humanitarian disaster.” The action would force an eventual vote to block the arms sales to Israel, though majority passage is highly unlikely.”

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, September 16, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed/File Photo 

Saudi Arabia will not recognise Israel without Palestinian state, says Crown Prince

Reuters

"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday said the kingdom would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state and strongly condemned the "crimes of the Israeli occupation" against the Palestinian people. "The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that," the crown prince, known as MbS, said."

“Understanding Gaza: Political Context and Theological Challenges”

In collaboration with the McClendon Scholar-in-Residence Program at The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Churches for Middle East Peace had an event on September 10 to hear Rev. Mitri Raheb speak on “Understanding Gaza: Political Context and Theological Challenges.” Rev. Dr. Raheb will be joined by fellow Palestinian voices Fr. Fadi Diab and Dr. Lamma Mansour, and CMEP’s Kyle Cristofalo. 

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