 | September 25th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. |
| | 1. Priests and nuns march to Vatican to demand end to ‘genocide’ in Gaza AP News "Some 150 Catholic priests and friars, a bishop and nuns from around the world marched to the Vatican and prayed Tuesday in front of St. Peter’s Basilica to call for an end to what they called the “genocide” in Gaza. The protesters carried a banner down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican bearing the names of 300 children who died during Israel’s war in Gaza and southern Lebanon. The marchers didn’t enter Vatican territory and had an Italian police escort." |
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| 2. Trump Gaza board pitches $2.45 billion Gaza plan, implementation uncertain Reuters "President Donald Trump's Board of Peace unveiled a $2.45 billion plan on Wednesday to begin rebuilding Gaza, but officials acknowledged it faces an uncertain future as Israel and Hamas remain at odds over terms of a US-backed ceasefire. The proposal, laid out by board officials at an event during the UN General Assembly in New York, consists of 66 programs that would rehabilitate Gaza's infrastructure and economy, destroyed by two years of full-scale Israeli military assault." |
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| 3. Trump says US and Iranian officials met Tuesday, shortly after warning he may ‘annihilate’ Iran AP News "President Donald Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials met Tuesday, an unexpected engagement that came even as he threatened in his address to the U.N. General Assembly that he may 'annihilate' the Islamic Republic if a deal isn’t reached soon to end the nearly seven-month war. Trump told reporters that his chief envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met for about three hours with the Iranian officials on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders but he offered few details about how the discussions transpired or the substance of the exchange." |
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| 4. Carney pledges $100M in aid for Palestinians at UNGA Politico "Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged $100 million in assistance for Palestine on Tuesday, including $80 million in humanitarian aid and $20 million for peace and security efforts while acknowledging the plight also suffered by many Israelis due to Hamas. 'In Gaza, immense human suffering continues,' Carney said on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 'Next door, Israelis continue to live with existential threats — from Hamas, and from Iran and its proxies,' he added, warning that international support for a two-state solution 'will mean nothing if these conditions continue.'" |
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| 5. US Senate Democrats seek sanctions over Israeli settlements, bill says Reuters "A group of US Senate Democrats will introduce legislation on Wednesday to sanction individuals or groups that facilitate Israel's 'E1 project,' a widely condemned West Bank settlement plan cutting across land the Palestinians seek for a state, according to a copy of the legislation seen by Reuters. The introduction of the bill is the latest sign of growing friction between Democrats in Congress and the Israeli government over its handling of the West Bank, with many in the party — and a few Republicans — calling for curbs on US military aid to Israel over its conduct of the war in Gaza." |
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| | 6. The Palestinian Christian Stuck in Israeli Prison Christianity Today "Around 1 a.m. on June 2, the Israeli military showed up at a six-story apartment building in Ramallah in the West Bank and started smashing down doors, looking for college student Natalie Abudayyeh. On the fourth floor, Natalie and her two roommates, all of whom attended Birzeit University, got dressed after an older woman in the building texted them to say she saw the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) coming. When they broke down their door, an IDF officer asked each college student her name…" |
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| 7. WEA urges Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, halt settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank World Evangelical Alliance "The World Evangelical Alliance urged Israel to uphold its obligations under international law, protect Palestinian civilians, prevent settler violence, ensure accountability for abuses, and halt settlement expansion and the appropriation of Palestinian land in the West Bank. The WEA further emphasized that Israeli annexation plans are detrimental for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and that every person has equal dignity and the right to live safely in peace on their land." |
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| | Sep 21, 2026: Churches for Middle East Peace Delegation Visits Armenia in Solidarity with Armenian Church and People Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) recently led a delegation of Christian executive leaders to Armenia for a solidarity visit focused on the country’s Christian heritage, current geopolitical challenges, the situation of displaced Armenians from Artsakh, and the vital role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the spiritual and cultural life of the Armenian people. The delegation included representatives of CMEP, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), and the World Council of Churches. The visit provided an opportunity for Christian leaders from across the global Church to listen to Armenian communities, engage with civil society, and deepen relationships with the Armenian Apostolic Church. |
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| Sept. 22, 2026: CMEP P4P Blog: When Unity Becomes a Way of Life: The Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East The Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East (EIME) is helping shape the future of Christianity in the region by bringing young Christians from different countries and church traditions together through study, prayer, and fellowship. Rooted in the values of Knowledge, Love, and Prayer, the Institute demonstrates that Christian unity does not require erasing differences, but learning to understand and love one another across them. As young Christians face war, displacement, migration, and uncertainty about their future, EIME offers a powerful vision of ecumenism lived out through friendship, shared faith, and a commitment to building a future together. |
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| Sep 22, 2026: CMEP Stands in Solidarity with the Armenian Church and Calls for the Protection of Armenian Christian Heritage Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) stands in solidarity with the Armenian Apostolic Church and echoes the concerns expressed by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin regarding recent statements by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, about the historic Armenian monastic complexes of Gandzasar and Dadivank. The denial or distortion of the Armenian identity of these ancient Christian sites is deeply concerning. Gandzasar and Dadivank are not simply historic buildings; they are places of worship and enduring witnesses to the spiritual, cultural, and historical presence of the Armenian people in Artsakh. Their preservation is a matter of religious freedom, cultural heritage, and respect for historical truth. |
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| September 23, 2026: CMEP Joins Coalition Letter Urging Senate Action on West Bank Violence Against Americans Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) joined more than 30 faith and advocacy organizations in a letter urging U.S. senators to cosponsor and support Senator Chris Van Hollen's Section 502B(c) resolution on violence in the West Bank. The resolution would require the State Department to report to Congress within 30 days on the killings of nine Americans in the West Bank by Israeli settlers or security forces since January 2022—including Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Omar Assad, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi—none of which has resulted in meaningful accountability. The report would also address any use of U.S. assistance in the killings, the status of Israeli and U.S. investigations, and broader human rights conditions in the West Bank, including the detention of Palestinian children. |
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| Spring 2026: The Wheel Orthodox Journal, Issue 44, Spring 2026: The Ancient Faith in a Restless Age: The Role of the Lausanne Orthodox Initiative in Evangelical & Orthodox Dialogue The article explores how Christian unity can foster cooperation without requiring uniformity. Drawing on the 2025 Lausanne Orthodox Initiative consultation in Egypt, it examines the relationship between Orthodox and Evangelical Christians, the historical divides between them, and the growing movement of Evangelical converts to Orthodoxy in North America. It highlights the importance of moving beyond theological dialogue toward personal relationships and grassroots cooperation, showing how Christians can learn from one another, serve together, and promote peace while remaining faithful to their distinct traditions. |
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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, 29, 2026: CMEP Delegation Briefing: Reflections from the Middle East & Armenia Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on September 29th at 11 AM EDT for a special public briefing with members of our recent delegation trip through the Middle East and Armenia. The delegation traveled across the region to strengthen relationships with Christian leaders and local partners, engage with communities, and gain a deeper understanding of the political, humanitarian, and religious realities shaping the region. During this Zoom briefing, members of the delegation will share reflections from their travels, including who they met with, the churches and organizations they visited, key conversations and insights from the trip, and the opportunities and challenges they encountered along the way. The briefing will also highlight CMEP's ongoing work to support Christian communities, strengthen ecumenical partnerships, and advance peace and justice throughout the Middle East. |
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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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| October 30-November 1, 2026: CMEP Presbyterian Advisory Council in Louisville Join the Presbyterian Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) for an informative slate of events in Louisville, KY between October 30-November 1. Events will include robust discussions of the current context in Palestine and Israel, countering narratives of Christian Zionism, and concrete ways for communities to engage in initiatives that support just peace in the region. See our full slate of public events and register. |
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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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| | Recording: Combatting Settler Violence and Preserving Christian Presence in the Birthplace of Jesus On September 14, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Rebuilding Alliance hosted a conversation on the challenges facing Palestinian Christian communities and the work being done to protect their future. Palestinian Christian journalist and activist Alice Kisiya, founder of the Save Al-Makhrour Initiative, and Sanad Sahelia, a journalist from the Christian village of Taybeh, shared experiences of protecting their family land and heritage and their hopes for rebuilding and sustaining a vibrant Christian presence in the Holy Land. |
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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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