 | October 30th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. |
| | 1. Israel's election gives survivor Netanyahu a path to keep power Reuters "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled ahead on Wednesday as votes were counted in Israel’s election, but the loss of a parliamentary majority leaves his path to another term dependent on drawing rivals into a coalition. With the turnout in Tuesday's election at a record high and nearly 86% of votes tallied, Israel's three main broadcasters put Netanyahu's bloc of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties on course to win 53 seats in parliament, with the opposition bloc of rival Gadi Eisenkot trailing on 48." |
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| 2. Three takeaways from a tight Israeli election with no clear outcome RNS "After a record turnout in Tuesday’s parliamentary election, Israel’s political leaders will now spend the next few weeks jockeying over the shape of the next government and its leader, the prime minister. Initial results show that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party, nor his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, and his Yashar Party, have a clear path to forming a government without seeking support from outside their blocs. Coalition-building has been the result of most general elections in Israel for generations. This one was no different." |
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| 3. Israel committing genocide in Gaza despite ceasefire, UN commission of inquiry finds Australian Broadcasting Corporation "Israel has continued to commit genocide in Gaza since last October's ceasefire, a United Nations commission has found. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry also found Israeli forces had committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including extermination, persecution, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence. The report, released the day before Israel's general election, said the country's forces had targeted Palestinians in Gaza and that the situation in the West Bank had "deteriorated gravely" since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel." |
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| 4. Israeli military says 2 soldiers were killed in West Bank attack that also left 2 gunmen dead AP News "Two Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in the occupied West Bank that also left two suspected gunmen dead Friday morning, the military said. The violence is likely to heighten political tensions and security concerns ahead of next week’s parliamentary election. Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, were killed and three others were lightly wounded during the attack near the Yehuda Junction outside the West Bank city of Hebron, the army said." |
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| 5. Around 1,200 Palestinians are displaced in Hebron as Israel begins military operation Reuters "The Israeli military forced around 1,200 Palestinians to leave their homes in Hebron in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian official said on Saturday, a day after a Palestinian attack killed two Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday had said the military would launch a large-scale operation after the soldiers were killed when two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a military checkpoint near the city. The Israeli military said the gunmen were shot dead." |
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| | 6. Jordan church attack death toll rises to 9 as Christian leaders call for unity EWTN News "The death toll from the armed attack on St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, in southern Jordan’s Karak governorate, has risen to nine, with others wounded. The attack took place during a funeral Friday, and security authorities are continuing their investigation and search for the perpetrators. According to authorities, three gunmen arrived at the church in a blue pickup truck. One wore a mask and carried a Kalashnikov rifle, while the other two had their faces uncovered and carried handguns. The shooting began near the church’s main entrance, where mourners had gathered." |
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| 7. Wave of solidarity between Muslims and Christians following attack in Jordan Vatican News "In the peaceful village of Hammoud, in southern Jordan, a horrific massacre took place on Friday, October 23, claiming the lives of nine martyrs who had gathered at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George to attend a woman’s funeral. What happened is reprehensible and condemnable in every human, religious, and ethical sense. It is true that no society in the world can consider itself entirely immune to terrorism, but what took us all by surprise was that this crime occurred in a church in a country that Pope Leo XIV, offering his condolences during the Angelus on Sunday, described as being characterized by 'coexistence and respect for religions.'" |
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| 8. Anti-Israel Protesters Pose a Purity Test That Even Mamdani Can’t Pass New York Times "If pro-Palestinian activists had designed a New York City mayor in a political science lab, they would have strained to do much better than Zohran Mamdani. […] His unwavering denunciations of Israel amid a rise in antisemitic hate have unsettled many of New York’s roughly one million Jews, most recently last week when he marked the anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, with a statement that dwelled largely on the suffering of Palestinians. And yet there the mayor stood on this Oct. 7, a veteran protester being protested, stone-faced but visibly emotional as hundreds of people shouted at him from across a police barricade in Union Square. |
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| October 29, 2026: In New Declaration, Over 200 Bishops, Leaders Warn of Christian Disappearance from Middle East Led by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), over 200 prominent Christian bishops and executive leaders from a wide range of denominations have signed on to a new declaration warning of the dangerously deteriorating situation for Christian communities in Palestine, Lebanon, and across the Middle East. Marking the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Global Day of Prayer for Peace at Assisi, the declaration, organized by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), warns of “the rapid decline of Christian communities throughout the region". |
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| Advent 2026: Cradle of Our Faith: A Devotional Series Inspired by the Christian Communities of the Middle East This Advent season, join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on a journey through the Holy Land and the wider Middle East with a devotional series exploring the region's rich Christian heritage, living communities, and enduring hope for peace. Through original artwork, scripture, prayer, and reflection, each day invites us to connect the story of Christ's coming with the realities facing communities in Armenia, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, and Palestine today. Whether used for personal reflection or small groups, this devotional offers a meaningful way to prepare our hearts for Christ while holding the people of the region in prayer. Purchase a hard copy or download a virtual copy today to journey with us this Advent. A coloring book featuring the series' original artwork by Kester Limner is also available for download here. |
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| November 12–20: Gaza Children's Shroud Events in Washington, DC The Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is proud to join an impressive list of co-sponsors and organizers supporting the Gaza Children's Shroud, which bears the handwritten names of more than 20,000 children killed in Gaza. Inspired by this extraordinary act of witness in Italy, the U.S. initiative was first presented at the Joint Christian Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., on May 5–7, 2026. The Shroud will be in Washington DC for a slate of powerful events throughout November. Learn more at: https://www.gazachildrenshroud.com/dc-events |
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| October 29, 2026: In New Declaration, Over 200 Bishops, Leaders Warn of Christian Disappearance from Middle East Led by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), over 200 prominent Christian bishops and executive leaders from a wide range of denominations have signed on to a new declaration warning of the dangerously deteriorating situation for Christian communities in Palestine, Lebanon, and across the Middle East. Marking the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Global Day of Prayer for Peace at Assisi, the declaration, organized by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), warns of “the rapid decline of Christian communities throughout the region". |
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| October 27, 2026: Julie Schumacher Cohen Reviews David M. Neuhaus’s Conquest or Leaven for America Magazine Julie Schumacher Cohen, a member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and former CMEP deputy director, published a review in America Magazine of Conquest or Leaven: Reflections of a Catholic Priest in Palestine/Israel by David M. Neuhaus, S.J. (Orbis Books). The review traces Neuhaus’s path from a Jewish family that fled Nazi Germany, through his upbringing under apartheid in South Africa, to his conversion, ordination as a Jesuit priest, and decades of ministry in Israel/Palestine, and highlights his insistence that criticism of Israeli policy and Zionism must not be conflated with antisemitism. |
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| Oct 26, 2026: CMEP Statement on the Attack on Saint George’s Orthodox Church in Jordan Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) extends its deepest condolences to the families of the nine killed and many injured in the terrorist attack on Saint George’s Orthodox Church in Karak, Jordan, during a funeral service. We stand in solidarity with the victims, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Amman, and the Christian community of Jordan in this time of grief. |
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| October 16, 2026: Written by CMEP: Belhar, Peace, and Israel-Palestine In “Belhar, Peace, and Israel-Palestine,” written for Unbound, Rubin James Yi McClain, an Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), explores how the Belhar Confession’s commitments to unity, reconciliation, and justice offer a framework for Christian engagement with Israel-Palestine. McClain challenges Christians to reject antisemitism while affirming the dignity and rights of Palestinians, emphasizing that lasting peace cannot be built on injustice or the insecurity of either people. |
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| October 9, 2026: Three Years Later – Principles in Pursuing Peace In this essay for the CRC Do Justice blog, CMEP Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon reflects on the Christian call to pursue peace and justice in Israel and Palestine. Drawing on lessons from the years since October 7, 2023, she calls Christians to mourn with all who suffer, confront systemic oppression, elevate Palestinian voices, and reject false neutrality in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace. |
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| Join the CMEP Team! Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is hiring a part time Advocacy and Bulletin Fellow (average of 12 hours a week). This position is hybrid with one day every other week in the DC office. See cmep.org/work for more information and how to apply. |
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| | November 2: Spotlight on Taybeh: CAC Fall Webinar Session #1 Join the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) for the first installment of its Fall webinar series. This session will feature a special conversation with Fr. Bashar Fawadleh, the parish priest of Christ The Redeemer church in Taybeh, West Bank. Often termed "the last remaining Christian village" in Palestine, Taybeh has faced significant violence from extremist settlers. This webinar provides a platform for us to hear the latest from Fr. Bashar's experience on the ground and offer practical ways Catholics, Christians, and all people in the U.S. can take action to support Taybeh and the broader communities under threat of settler violence and land theft in the West Bank. |
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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. Use code CMEP for $30 off! |
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| November 14: Not in Christ's Name– An Orthodox Christian Summit for Palestine Churches for Middle East Peace is grateful to elevate the November 14th "Not in Christ's Name" Summit, led by our organizational partners, Orthodox Christians for Palestine. Orthodox Christians from every jurisdiction, along with those who share concern for justice and peace, are invited to gather for a one-day summit on Palestine. As the suffering, ongoing persecution, and displacement of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land persists, we believe our Orthodox community and all people of conscience are called to respond. This summit brings our communities together to learn how we can put our faith into action. Inaction is not an option. ALL ARE WELCOME, including those new to the Orthodox faith and those from other faith traditions. |
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| November 17: And So How Shall We Live? Palestine, Israel, & Catholic Social Teaching How should Catholics think about Israel-Palestine? How can our faith guide us? Join the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace for the final session of its Fall webinar series with a conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner, PhD and Julie Schumacher Cohen on their new book "Israel, Palestine, and Catholic Social Teaching" (Orbis, 2026). The book draws on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to help Catholics look anew at the Holy Land and envision how each of us can contribute to a just and peaceful future there. The book explores key ideas from CST like human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity, while also introducing readers to the difficult history of the region, its present-day realities, and its connections to policies and controversies in the United States. |
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| December 9, 2026: A Sacred Remembrance: Bearing Witness, Preventing Genocide Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on December 9th for a prayer vigil recognizing the United Nations’ International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime. CMEP Heads of Communion and other Christian leaders are coming together in prayer, across theological and political differences, to commemorate and honor the victims of genocide throughout history and around the world, including, but not limited to, the genocides of Indigenous peoples in the United States and across the Americas, the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, the atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza, and the violence targeting the Banyamulenge people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This vigil will be a time of prayer, remembrance, and solidarity as we reflect on the enduring legacy of faith and resilience in the face of injustice. Together, we remember those who have suffered, mourn the lives lost, and reaffirm our shared commitment to preventing genocide and upholding the dignity and sacred worth of every human life. |
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| April 19-21 Christian Advocacy Summit for Just Peace in Palestine The Christian Advocacy Summit team is thrilled to announce our first keynote speaker for April's summit will be H.E. Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land. You can read more about Bishop Haddad's ministry and leadership, and get your summit tickets at summitforpeace.org. We hope to see you in DC April 19-21, 2027! |
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| | Recording: Peace by Piece: Stories of Fair Trade and Faithfulness in the Holy Land On October 23, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and SERRV International hosted a conversation on the role of fair trade in supporting Palestinian and Israeli artisans in the Holy Land. Suzan Sahori, Executive Director of Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, Hadas Lahav, CEO of Sindyanna of Galilee, and Mohammed Joudeh, a Palestinian peacemaker and olive producer, shared their experiences of partnership across divides, navigating the challenges of life under occupation, and building peace through fair trade and community empowerment. |
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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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