 |  | October 17th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | 1. Tears and cheers in West Bank and Gaza as nearly 2,000 Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons CNN "Israel freed almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails on Monday as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal, prompting emotional scenes of families reunited with loved ones, some of whom had spent decades behind bars. More than 1,700 of those released were detainees who had been held without charge by Israeli forces in Gaza since the start of the war, which began with the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Another 250 prisoners had been serving long sentences for convictions in serious crimes, including murder. Some alleged they had been regularly beaten while in Israeli prisons after their release on Monday." | | | | | | 2. Who are the 20 hostages who were released by Hamas? NBC News "More than two years after they were abducted during the terrorist attack that triggered the Israel-Hamas war, all living hostages have been returned to Israel from the Gaza Strip. The 20 surviving hostages were released “after 738 agonizing days in captivity,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. As part of the first phase of the U.S.-brokered peace deal, Hamas has also agreed to return to Israel the remains of more than two dozen hostages who did not survive." | | | | | | 3. Palestinian bodies returned by Israel show signs of torture and execution, say doctors The Guardian "Many of the 90 bodies of Palestinians returned to Gaza by Israeli authorities under the ceasefire deal showed signs of torture and execution, including blindfolds, cuffed hands and bullet wounds in the head, according to doctors’ accounts. As part of the US-brokered truce, Hamas has handed over the bodies of some of the hostages who died during the course of the war, and Israel has transferred the bodies of two groups of 45 Palestinians killed during the fighting. The exchange was carried out through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)." | | | | | | 4. Hamas says it needs special equipment, more time to recover hostages' bodies CBC "Israel said on Thursday it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt to let Palestinians in and out, but set no date for its completion as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire. A fight over the return of bodies of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza retains the potential to upend the truce along with other major planks of the plan yet to be resolved, including disarmament of militants and Gaza's future governance." | | | | | | | | Still Active: 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. | | | | | | | | October 15, 2025: As The World Celebrates Hostage Releases, Some Palestinian Families Still Feel Invisible "Zogby joined the Arafats and a couple other Palestinian Americans this week in meeting with lawmakers like Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), to ensure Congress keeps pressure on rebuilding Gaza, blocking arms to Israel, and refusing to leave Palestinian Americans and their loved ones behind now that a fragile plan is underway." CMEP was part of this initiative that brought Palestinian Americans from Gaza to talk to their congressional representatives. | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | Call to Prayer Layan Nasir The cautious relief brought by news of a ceasefire deal for Gaza was shattered today with the devastating report that Palestinian activist Layan Nasir has been taken directly to prison following a court appearance. Layan and her family now face the pain of an additional eight-month sentence within Israel’s harsh prison system. The timing of this decision underscores the ongoing suffering and injustice faced by Palestinians, an unrelenting reality that persists even as hopes rise for peace in Gaza. | | | | | | From CMEP's Own: Let Children Live: Seeing Palestinian Children as God Sees Them "Five-year-old Hind Rajab was killed by Israeli soldiers as she sat in the back of her family’s car in Gaza. Her relatives were trying to evacuate. The world listened in horror to the recordings of Hind’s final pleas for help as she watched each of her family members die before soldiers took her life, too."
Dr. Benjamin Norquist is CMEP's Director of Academics and Grants. | | | | | | Oct 13, 2025: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Welcomes Implementation of the Peace Deal, the Release of Hostages, and the Exchange of Detainees Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) welcomes the news that hostages and Palestinian prisoners are being released as part of the current ceasefire agreement. Since the tragic events of October 7, 2023, CMEP has called daily for the release of all hostages and prisoners held without due process, an end to the violence, and a commitment to protecting every human life. We acknowledge this development as a positive step in the right direction and as a sign that progress toward peace remains possible, even in the midst of immense suffering. We celebrate alongside families reunited who have longed to have their loved ones home. | | | | | | Oct 14, 2025: CMEP is deeply honored to be named the 2025 recipient of the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Award by 21Wilberforce Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is deeply honored to be named the 2025 recipient of the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Award by 21Wilberforce. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Wissam al-Saliby and the 21Wilberforce Forum for this recognition of CMEP’s commitment to advancing peace and protecting religious freedom in the Middle East. | | | | | | | | October 18, 2025: What Life is Really Like for Christians in the Holy Land On October 18th, join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and our coalition partners to hear What Life is Really Like for Christians in the Holy Land. The afternoon's featured speaker is Mother Agapia Stephanopoulos, an Orthodox nun who spent more than a decade in the Holy Land. She will be joined by several additional expert speakers, including CMEP's senior director of advocacy and government relations, Kyle Cristofalo. We hope you will join us for this timely event! | | | | | | October 22, 2025: Virtual Vigil Lamenting Two Years of War in the Holy Land As we continue to bear witness to the suffering in Gaza and across the Middle East, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) invites you to a Virtual Vigil of Lament. Together, we will pause to reflect on the pain of the past two years in the Holy Land through prayer, reflection, and witness. Speakers will be added periodically as they accept invitations to take part. | | | | | | October 30, 2025: Wounds That Don't Bleed: Embodied Solidarity Many of our Palestinian sisters have experienced significant trauma and grief, given the system of oppression under which they live. However, most people do not understand trauma and the effects it has on daily functioning, or how to begin healing. In addition, most people do not know how to walk with someone through trauma. Join CMEP on October 30 at 12pm ET as Areej Masoud, Rev. Liz Walker, and Sandra van Opstal discuss embodied solidarity and the impact it has on Palestinians. This will be the first of a three part series. This webinar series seeks to begin educating women on trauma and its effects, while also equipping them with the tools to build resilience and walk in solidarity with those healing. 12:00 PM EDT - 1:00 PM EDT | | | | | | October 30, 2025: "The Cross and the Olive Tree: A Palestinian Christian Reflection" Featuring John Munayer CMEP is pleased to join our friends at the McClendon Scholar program at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in hosting Palestinian Christian theologian and author John Munayer. Munayer will give his perspective on what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank and discuss efforts to cultivate Palestinian theology amidst the current suffering. He will also discuss what concepts like hope, reconciliation, and martyrdom mean in the context of Palestinians' widespread agony. Thursday, October 30, at 7 pm EDT, either onsite or online. | | | | | | 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. Israel kills seven Palestinians in violation of Gaza ceasefire Middle East Eye "Israeli forces killed at least seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, in violation of the ceasefire agreement signed last week. According to local health officials, six people were killed in Gaza City and one in Khan Younis. In Gaza City’s eastern Shujaiya neighbourhood, at least five people were killed in an aerial attack while inspecting their homes, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence. Separately, a drone strike in the town of al-Fukhari, east of Khan Younis, killed one person. These attacks constitute a breach of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Friday, which explicitly stated that “all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment and targeting operations, will be suspended”. | | | | | | 6. Senior Trump advisers say no violations of Israel-Hamas ceasefire The Hill "Senior Trump administration advisers said Wednesday evening they have not witnessed any violations of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and are urging patience as efforts to retrieve bodies of hostages have extended beyond the initial 72-hour time frame. Two senior U.S. advisers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, briefed reporters on progress of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip, as cracks emerge in the ceasefire that was put in place last week." | | | | | | 7. Hopes dashed for release of prominent Gaza doctor detained by Israel NBC "A prominent doctor who had become a voice for besieged Palestinians in Gaza and was detained by Israeli forces in December has had his detention without charge extended, his family and legal representatives said Thursday. The family and supporters of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the head of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, had hoped he would be released under a ceasefire deal, along with dozens of medical workers who had been detained during Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian enclave." | | | | | | 8. Syria's Sharaa meets Putin in Moscow for first time since fall of Assad BBC "Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has held his first talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow since ousting Russia's ally Bashar al-Assad 10 months ago. Putin spoke of the "special relationship" between both countries. Sharaa suggested he would continue to allow Russia access to its military bases in Syria. He was also expected to ask for the extradition of Assad, who was granted asylum after fleeing to Moscow." | | | | | | 9. Leading bishop among Armenian clerics arrested in government crackdown on church AP News "A bishop in the influential Armenian Apostolic Church has been charged with coercing citizens into taking part in public gatherings in the latest in a series of arrests against critics of the country’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan is also accused of using his office to commit large-scale theft and obstruct electoral rights, Armenia’s Investigative Committee said Wednesday. The Armenian Apostolic Church, whose leaders largely oppose Pashinyan, condemned the arrest as part of a systematic campaign against it. “There is obvious malicious intent to hinder the normal activities of the church,” it said on social media." | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
