November 1st News Bulletin

A boy carries a humanitarian aid package provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in central Gaza City on August 27. Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images

Israel has banned the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. That could be devastating for millions

CNN

“Israel’s parliament has voted to ban a United Nations agency that has provided essential services for Palestinian refugees for nearly eight decades, a move that could have devastating consequences for millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. On Monday, the Knesset passed two bills; one barring the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from activity within Israel, and another banning Israeli authorities from any contact with UNRWA – revoking the 1967 treaty that allows the agency to provide services to Palestinian refugees in areas under Israel’s control.”

Men bury victims of Israeli air strikes at a makeshift cemetary in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 30, 2024.
AFP via Getty Images

US struggles to get answers on 'horrifying' Israeli strike in northern Gaza

ABC News

"Despite repeatedly urging the Israeli government to provide more information about a devastating strike on a town in northern Gaza that killed dozens of civilians this week, Biden administration officials say they have not yet received an explanation for the attack's staggering toll on civilian lives. "We are pressing them [Israel] for an answer," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday. "They are not doing enough to get us the answers that we have requested." On Tuesday, Miller described the strike as "a horrifying incident with a horrifying result."

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

At least 46 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, hospital hit, says Gaza ministry

Reuters

“At least 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, mostly in the north where one attack hit a hospital, torching medical supplies and disrupting operations, the enclave's health officials said. Israel's military has accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of using Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for military purposes and said "dozens of terrorists" have been hiding there. Health officials and Hamas deny the charge.”

Israel wants the Lebanese army to be deployed in areas around the border in place of Hezbollah.

US envoys in push for Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

BBC

“Senior American officials have returned to the Middle East to try to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed cautious optimism about a potential deal. Brett McGurk, President Biden’s Middle East co-ordinator, and Amos Hochstein, who has led negotiations in the conflict with Hezbollah, are in Israel for talks with the country’s authorities, although it was not clear whether any progress could be made ahead of the US presidential election, next week.”

CMEP issued a statement this week on the U.S. Brokering a Regional Ceasefire and Prevent Further Escalation in Lebanon and Beyond. That statement can be read here. In addition - CMEP joined more than 150 international NGOs in calling for UN Member States to immediately secure a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and across the region.  You can read that call here. 

 Mini-Series: Holding on in the Dark: Palestinians Pursuing Justice Under Occupation

Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) for a five part mini-series featuring stories from several notable Palestinian Christian cases currently making their way through the challenges, injustices, and frustrations of the legal system under occupation. Over the course of the series, we will hear from the families and loved ones of Palestinian youth in detention, families whose lands are at risk of annexation, experts on the Israeli government’s use of legal proceedings, and CMEP staff and board members. Each week, will also include action-steps for how Americans can support and advocate for Palestinians in the U.S.

Layan Nasir was detained on April 7, 2024 when around 20 Israeli soldiers hammered on the door of her parents' house in the West Bank town of Birzeit near Ramallah, before her mother, Lulu Aranki Nasir, opened it. Then on the 15th of April, Israeli intelligence placed Layan in administrative detention for four months without charges. By the end of July, Layan’s administrative detention was extended by an additional four months, putting her family in a state of desperation. As Layan's court date approaches on November 5th, we call our community to join us in sustained and ongoing prayer for her release. We will pray together for the Layan each Wednesday during our community prayer time on Zoom and also ask that you include this case in your individual daily prayers, Sunday prayers of the people during worship, and in other communities of faithful solidarity. 

You can watch the recording of our Mini-Series #3: Holding on in the Dark: Spotlight on Layan Nasir HERE.​​​​​​

November 7th: Mini-Series #4 Holding on in the Dark: Spotlight on Shady Khoury

Join CMEP on November 7 at 12pm EST to hear Rania Khoury recount the heartbreaking story of her son, Shadi's, arrest. At the age of 16, Shadi was arrested in the early hours of the morning, beaten, and detained for 45 days, all for the crime of "lynching a car". Two years later, his court case continues to be unresolved. After Rania narrates Shadi's story, Miranda Cleland from Defense for Children International will join us to share information about the arbitrary arrests of Palestinian children and the conditions they face in detention.

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.

Advent not Arms

Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and other partners this Advent season (through Orthodox Christmas) as we call for a suspension of arms sales to Israel and push for a comprehensive permanent ceasefire and end to all violence. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we invite you to journey with us in advocating of an holy season of peace through our campaign Advent Not Arms. Throughout the next several weeks we will provide multifaceted resources and events including a virtual and in person Advent vigils for peace, ways to reach out to your elected officials, and more as we continue to  pursue peace for all in Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, and all in the region. More information coming soon.

Call to Prayer Preceding the Tent of Nations December 18th Court Date

As the Tent of Nations court date approaches on December 18th, we call our community to join us in sustained and ongoing prayer for the land, the Nassar family, and for justice to finally be done. We will pray together for the Nassar's each Wednesday during our community prayer time on Zoom and also ask that you include this case in your individual daily prayers, Sunday prayers of the people during worship, and in other communities of faithful solidarity. 

Children in Lebanon have disrupted sleep, are haunted by nightmares, and struggle with headaches and loss of appetite. [File: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters]

UN says one child a day killed in Israel’s war on Lebanon in past month

Al-Jazeera

“The United Nations children’s agency says at least one child a day has been killed in Lebanon over the past month as Israel intensifies its bombing campaign. “Since October 4 of this year, at least one child has been killed and 10 injured daily,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said on Thursday and added that “the ongoing war in Lebanon is upending children’s lives.”

A photo shared by Breaking the Silence, an organization that provides a forum for Israeli soldiers to speak out and verifies their testimony, showing a soldier guarding a Palestinian prisoner with their hands bound. Image blurred at source. Breaking the Silence.

The Israeli military has used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, soldier and former detainees say

CNN

“More than 60 Democratic legislators on Monday sent a letter to US President Joe Biden demanding “unimpeded media access” to Gaza amid growing warnings that Israel is intentionally starving Palestinians there. Led by Jim McGovern, the members of the House of Representatives said that Israel's restrictions on foreign media “undermine the very foundation of press freedom and democratic accountability”.

Rescue workers carry the body of a boy who was found under the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit Tuesday night in an Israeli airstrike, in Sarafand, South Lebanon, Wednesday, October 30th 2024 (AP Photo/ Bilal Hussein)

Middle East latest: Israeli airstrikes pound the eastern Lebanon city of Baalbek

AP News

“Israeli airstrikes pounded the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek on Wednesday, killing at least 19 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state-run news agency. Hours earlier, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for residents in the entire city — including its ancient Roman temple complex inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Israel said it was targeting sites connected to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.”

 Smoke was seen rising from the Israeli town of Metula following a Hezbollah rocket attack on Thursday.

Seven killed in Israel in deadliest Hezbollah rocket strikes in months

BBC

“Two separate Hezbollah rocket attacks have killed seven people in northern Israel, authorities say - the deadliest such strikes in months.
An Israeli farmer and four foreign agricultural workers were killed when rockets landed near Metula, a town on the border with Lebanon, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.”

October 21st Mini-Series #2 Holding on in the Dark: Spotlight on Al-Makhrour

Over the past several months, the Al-Makhrour valley has been subjected to increased violence, including the forced seizure of the Kisiya family’s land and the establishment of an illegal outpost at Al-Makhour. On July 31st, 2024, settlers, escorted by Israeli military forces, invaded the Kisiya family home and physically removed the family and their belongings from the property. Alice and her mother were taken into custody after confronting extremist settlers who violently expelled them from their land. On October 21st CMEP heard more about the case of Al-Makhrour from Rev. Richard Sewell of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and directly from Alice Kisiya about her experience. Rewatch it below!

October 28th Mini-Series #3: Holding on in the Dark: Spotlight on Layan Nasir

Layan Nasir was detained on April 7, 2024 when around 20 Israeli soldiers hammered on the door of her parents' house in the West Bank town of Birzeit near Ramallah, before her mother, Lulu Aranki Nasir, opened it. Then on the 15th of April, Israeli intelligence placed Layan in administrative detention for four months without charges. By the end of July, Layan’s administrative detention was extended by an additional four months, putting her family in a state of desperation. In this mini Webinar, Lulu Nasir, Layan's mother, called on the international community to take action. She also shared her concerns about her 23 year-old daughter and some updates about Layan’s case. The Nasir family is an Anglican Palestinian Christian family who are supported by The Episcopal Church and Churches for Middle East Peace who have been advocating for Layan's release. Watch the recording below!

Contact Us

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(202) 543-1222  info@cmep.org