 |  | September 26th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | 1. European recognition of Palestinian state shows US still only power that counts BBC "Britain and France's recognition of a state of Palestine at the United Nations is a historic moment in the century-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it is also a diplomatic gamble illustrating how major European powers believe the conflict has reached the point where it requires them to take such an unprecedented move. Faced with the current catastrophe in Gaza, and meting out condemnation for both Israel and Hamas, French President Emmanuel Macron said "right must prevail over might". | | | | | | 2. Trump administration presented Gaza peace plan to Arab leaders CNN "The Trump administration proposed a 21-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza to Arab leaders on Tuesday, which led to an exchange of ideas among the leaders over how to agree on a final proposal that could potentially drive an end the conflict, according to a senior administration official and regional sources familiar with the matter. On Wednesday US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed confidence that there would be “some sort of breakthrough” in the coming day but did not go into details." | | | | | | 3. Israel to reopen West Bank crossing to Jordan to passenger traffic only Reuters "Israel will reopen the only crossing between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan to passenger traffic only, starting Friday morning, the Israeli Airports Authority said on Thursday. Israel shut the Allenby Crossing last Friday after a driver bringing humanitarian aid from Jordan for Gaza opened fire and killed two Israeli soldiers there. After briefly reopening it on Monday, Israel closed it indefinitely." | | | | | | 4. Italy, Spain deploy naval vessels to protect flotilla on course for Gaza Reuters "Italy and Spain have deployed naval ships to assist an international aid flotilla that has come under drone attack while trying to deliver aid to Gaza, potentially ratcheting up tensions with Israel, which strongly opposes the initiative. The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers, parliamentarians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board." | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | Call to Prayer for Shadi Khoury On Sept, 8th 2025, after two years and eleven months of procrastination in the corridors of the occupation's courts, after an arrest accompanied by torture, Shadi's steadfastness during interrogation, a full year of house arrest, and thirty-seven consecutive court sessions, the judge issued his decision convicting Shadi. Please join us on Wednesdays 12:30pm EST as we pray for Shadi and all other affected by unjust violence. | | | | | | Sep 25, 2025 Prayers4Peace: In Search of Answer by Ghassan Rubeiz "In the face of unimaginable suffering in Gaza, the human mind searches for meaning, for reasons, for someone to hold accountable. Yet nearly two years after October 7th, I find myself burdened by questions that seem to have no satisfactory answers." | | | | | | | | September 26, 2025: KTH 11th International Palestinian Diaspora Conference Know Thy Heritage (KTH) invites you to gather with Palestinian leaders, innovators, and allies from around the world on September 26–27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Together we will honor heritage, amplify Palestinian voices, and build pathways for political, cultural, and economic empowerment—featuring panels, workshops, and the annual Awards Banquet. We’re honored that Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), will be moderating the roundtable discussion at this year’s conference. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and take action for Palestine’s future. | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | October 5th: Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon Guest Sermon at Washington Community Fellowship On Sunday, October 5th, CMEP executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon will join Washington Community Fellowship to deliver a special guest messaged entitled The Violence of Love: A Radical Revival of Peace, Justice, and Enemy Love. At a moment when anger often overshadows love, this message calls for revival—one that restores our faith, our politics, and our common life together by centering ourselves on Jesus and the radical love of the cross. This revival is not about cheap activism or easy answers, but about the transformation of our own souls and the reclaiming of our Christian witness. We must return to seeing the humanity of the other, practicing enemy love, and embracing the costly, sacrificial love that Jesus embodied—a love that is strong enough to heal hatred and transform enemies into friends. We hope you will join Rev. Dr. Cannon in-person or via livestream to hear this timely message. | | | | | | Churches for Middle East Peace
Nov. 2025 Encountering the Holy Land Trip Join Churches for Middle East Peace as we journey to Israel/Palestine in November 2025 for Encountering the Holy Land. This trip will highlight the spiritual significance of the land, the role of local Christians in shaping the region’s past and present, and opportunities to meet with religious, academic, and non-profit leaders working toward peace and justice in the land. Alongside visits to sacred sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and beyond, participants will engage in thoughtful conversations that bring deeper understanding of the complex realities on the ground today. Trip Dates: November 8th - 17th, 2025
* $500 deposit due by September 28th to reserve your spot *
Full payment due by October 15th, 2025 | | | | | | "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 | | | | | | Receive the Name of a Palestinian Child Alive Today and Lift them up
in Prayer and Advocacy "Let Children Live" More than two million children in Gaza and the West Bank live under brutal oppression, their lives too often reduced to statistics. Yet each child is beloved by God. The Let Children Live campaign invites you to receive the name of a Palestinian child alive today and lift them up in prayer and advocacy. Together, we can remind the world of their dignity, hope, and right to a future. Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and our global partners in this urgent call to stand with children who deserve to live and thrive. | | | | | | | | 5. At least 20 injured after drone strike on southern Israel, ambulance service says NBC News "At least 20 people were injured on Wednesday after a drone launched from Yemen hit Israel’s Red Sea resort city of Eilat on the border with Jordan and Egypt, the Israeli national ambulance service Magen David Adom said. It said two people were seriously injured while others sustained medium to light injuries. The Israeli military said a drone launched from Yemen fell in Eilat, adding only that interception attempts were made." | | | | | | 6. Israeli strikes pound Yemen’s capital as Houthi leader decries Gaza war Al-Jazeera "The Israeli military has launched air strikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Al Masirah TV reported, adding that plumes of smoke were seen rising over the city following the attacks. Thursday’s strikes were confirmed by an Israeli army spokesperson, who said forces used dozens of warplanes and air support units to target the alleged “command headquarters of the Houthi General Staff” and “compounds” of the group’s security and intelligence apparatus." | | | | | | 7. For the first time in nearly six decades, a Syrian president steps up to speak at the UN AP News "Turning the page on decades of distance, Syria’s president addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, marking the first time any president from his country has done so in almost 60 years. As he spoke, hundreds of people gathered in front of giant screens in Syrian cities and towns to witness the speech while waving the country’s flags. After six decades of dictatorship that killed 1 million people and tortured hundreds of thousands, “Syria is reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world,” Ahmad al-Sharaa told the international community." | | | | | | 8. Five killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon, but claim some were US citizens is being disputed CNN "Five people were killed Sunday by an Israeli air strike on southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese government, but claims several US citizens were among the dead are now being disputed. Israel’s military said it had “struck and eliminated” a Hezbollah operator in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, but acknowledged that “several uninvolved civilians” were also killed in the strike." | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
