September 27th News Bulletin

Churches for Middle East Peace calls on the UNGA Resolution Calling for an End to Israel’s Occupation of Palestine to be Upheld

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) supports last week’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, which affirms the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion that calls for Israel to end its decades-long occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip within one year. This resolution represents the minimum required for any meaningful steps toward justice, peace, and reconciliation in the region.

People gather at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon September 24, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh 

Amid Israel-Hezbollah strikes, Lebanon says only US can stop fighting

Reuters

“Israel's offensive since Monday morning has killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 in Lebanon, Health Minister Firass Abiad told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV. The new offensive against Hezbollah has stoked fears that nearly a year of conflict between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza is escalating and could destabilise the Middle East. Britain urged its nationals to leave Lebanon and said it was moving 700 troops to Cyprus to help its citizens evacuate.”

Smoke billowed from buildings in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre following fresh Israeli strikes.

Lebanon strikes are preparing for ground offensive - Israel army chief

BBC

“Israel’s military chief has told troops that extensive air strikes in Lebanon targeting the armed group Hezbollah could pave the way for them to “enter enemy territory”. "You hear the jets overhead; we have been striking all day. This is both to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah," Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said. Lebanon’s health minister said more than 50 people were killed in strikes on Wednesday, which the Israeli military said hit Hezbollah’s intelligence directorate, as well as launchers and weapons stores.”

The rubble of destroyed buildings lies at the site of Israeli strikes in Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon September 26, 2024. REUTERS/Ali Hankir 

Israel rejects US-backed Lebanon ceasefire plan, hits Beirut again

Reuters

"Israel rejected global calls on Thursday for a ceasefire with the Hezbollah movement, defying its biggest ally the U.S. and pressing ahead with strikes that have killed hundreds in Lebanon and heightened fears of an all-out regional war.
An Israeli warplane struck the edges of the capital Beirut, killing two people and wounding 15, including a woman in critical condition, Lebanon's health ministry said. That took deaths from hits overnight and during Thursday to 28."

Nonviolence in Palestine - Oct. 1

Join CMEP’s Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations Kyle Cristofalo for a virtual event held with Sabeel Kumi to discuss non-violent resistance in Palestine on October 1st. The event will be held over zoom at 10am ET.

October 6th Solidarity Sunday

On Sunday, October 6th Churches for Middle East Peace and its 35 member denominations and communions call upon congregations in the U.S. and worldwide to pray for peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East as part of Solidarity Sunday. Resources to shape Sunday include prayers, worship, liturgy, and other aspects of Solidarity Sunday services, including videos from Palestinian Christian voices in the region and are varied, allowing each community to shape their Solidarity Sunday around their own traditions and commitments. This day of prayerful solidarity and calls for justice comes just as we prepare to mark the one-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th attacks and subsequent bombardment of Gaza.

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. 

Does "Just War" Justify Too Much?: How Christians Can Think Better About Mass Violence - Oct. 7th

"Just War" justify too much? Christian commentators such as David French regularly invoke just war theory to evaluate the ethics of the war in Gaza, but what exactly does that entail and how is it being used? Aside from pacifism and just war, are there other Christian ethical alternatives? Join the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East as we briefly explore the just war tradition, its historical roots, the way the Church and governments use it today and how we can work, instead, towards a just peace.

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.

October 9th Father Drew Christiansen at the University of Notre Dame

Dr. Rima Salah provides a Palestinian Christian woman’s perspective on the past, present, and future of women’s empowerment, peace-building, and striving for justice and dignity in the Holy Land.

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.  

Learning from Palestinian Catholics: Hardship & Hope in Israel-Palestine (Session at the 2024 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice)

Join the Catholic Advisory Council (CAC) of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) for a special breakout session at the 2024 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington DC entitled, “Learning from Palestinian Catholics: Hardship & Hope in Israel-Palestine.” This special breakout session will be held from 7:30-8:30 PM on the opening night of the conference, October 26th, and feature remarks from the CAC’s Julie Schumacher-Cohen and Shaddy Maklouf, a Palestinian-American Catholic Student.

And Still We Rise

And Still We Rise 2024 (ASWR2024) provides a safe space for Palestinian/ Middle Eastern and American/ international women to build community, invite transformation, grow in ecumenical faith, and take action. The ASWR Summit seeks to support the convening and elevation of Palestinian Christian women leaders.

A relative holds the body of a 4-year-old Palestinian girl who died of malnutrition. The U.N. has declared a famine in parts of Gaza. Credit: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu/Getty Images
 

Israel Deliberately Blocked Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, Two Government Bodies Concluded. Antony Blinken Rejected Them.

ProPublica

“The U.S. Agency for International Development delivered its assessment to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the State Department’s refugees bureau made its stance known to top diplomats in late April. Their conclusion was explosive because U.S. law requires the government to cut off weapons shipments to countries that prevent the delivery of U.S.-backed humanitarian aid. Israel has been largely dependent on American bombs and other weapons in Gaza since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. But Blinken and the administration of President Joe Biden did not accept either finding. Days later, on May 10, Blinken delivered a carefully worded statement to Congress that said, “We do not currently assess that the Israeli government is prohibiting or otherwise restricting the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance.”

​​​​​​

Israel’s Siege Now Blocks 83% of Food Aid Reaching Gaza, New Data Reveals

Save the Children

“New data has revealed the scale of aid obstruction, and the consequential drastic fall in aid entering Gaza. This is driving a humanitarian disaster, with the entire population of Gaza facing hunger and disease, and almost half a million at risk of starvation. While Israeli military attacks on Gaza intensify, lifesaving food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel, and tents have been systematically blocked from entering for almost a year.”

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 

Congress must restore humanitarian funding to stop famine in Gaza

The Hill

"The people of Gaza aren’t starving. They are being starved. “Over 2 million Palestinian civilians are facing a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading due to a lack of aid access. At the same time, the Biden administration and Congress are withholding all U.S. funding for the largest aid operation in Gaza: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).”

A military vehicle with a laser transits during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File 

Israel says it has secured $8.7 billion U.S. aid package

"Israel said on Thursday it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States to support its ongoing military efforts and to maintain a qualitative military edge in the region.
The package includes $3.5 billion for essential wartime procurement, which has already been received and earmarked for critical military purchases, and $5.2 billion designated for air defense systems including the Iron Dome anti-missile system, David's Sling and an advanced laser system."
 

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