November 8th News Bulletin

US President-elect Donald Trump appears on a congratulatory digital billboard in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Here’s what’s at stake in the Middle East under Trump’s second term

CNN

“If his first term in the White House is any indication, President-elect Donald Trump is likely to keep the Middle East high on his agenda.During his first four years, Trump made history by selecting Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip, attempted to broker a “deal of the century” between Israelis and Palestinians, strengthened the Jewish state’s regional integration, and significantly intensified pressure on Iran.But the Middle East has changed significantly since he left office in 2021, and all regional actors are keenly watching how the new president will navigate these shifts.”

Benjamin Netanyahu (R) said “trust had cracked” between him and Yoav Gallant (L).

Israel's Netanyahu shows who calls the shots with Gallant sacking

BBC News

"After Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, the country’s biggest ever military humiliation, Gallant was initially fully behind the war in Gaza. Along with Netanyahu, he faces possible war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court. Both men rejected the allegations made by the ICC's prosecutor when he sought warrants for them in May. But in recent months as defence minister, Gallant argued that Israel's government should prioritise a hostage release deal with Hamas and end the war in Gaza."

Left: Israeli settlers gather at an event celebrating Sukkot near the Gaza Strip, calling for annexation and resettlement, October 21, 2024. (Oren Ziv) Right: Displaced Palestinians line up at gunpoint in the ruins of Jabalia refugee camp. (Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Exterminate, expel, resettle: Israel’s endgame in northern Gaza

+972 Magazine

“Look at these two photos, which were both taken on Oct. 21, 2024. On the right, we see a long line of displaced people — or, more accurately, women and children — in the ruins of Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip. Men over the age of 16 are separated, waving a white flag and holding up their ID cards. They are on their way out. On the left, we see a camp built by the settler organization Nachala just outside Gaza, as part of an event celebrating the festival of Sukkot. The event was attended by 21 right-wing ministers and Knesset members and several hundred other participants, all of whom were there to discuss plans for building new Jewish settlements in Gaza. They are on their way in.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the opening of a Knesset session, on October 28, 2024. The deportation law was championed by members of his Likud party and its far-right allies [Debbie Hill/Pool via Reuters]

Israeli parliament passes law to deport relatives of ‘terrorists’

Aljazeera

“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 Releases its 2023-2024 Annual Report

2024 marked the 40th year that Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has been working for justice.  The work has never been more urgent. Review all the ways CMEP has been at work in our 2023-2024 Annual Report. In this report we highlight our work to educate, elevate, and advocate in pursuit of justice and sustainable peace.

 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.

Prayer Service for the Captive Artsakh Armenians

Last week, Armenian Church dioceses around the world received a communication from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, regarding the plight of the Artsakh Armenians who are still being held captive in Azerbaijan—one year after the ethnic cleansing of our precious Artsakh, and four years after the surprise attack and subsequent war against our people there.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians has announced that a special service will be held during the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, November 10, to pray for the well-being of the Armenians held captive in Azerbaijan, and to draw international attention to the illegal and immoral imprisonment of our fellow countrymen.

If you would like to participate please reach out to your local Armenian Church.

Call to Prayer for Shady Khoury

At the age of 16, Shady was arrested in the early hours of the morning, beaten, and detained for 45 days, all for the crime of "participating in a demonstration". Two years later, his court case continues to be unresolved. After spending months in house arrest and in and out of court, Shady has an upcoming court day scheduled for November 10th. We call our community to join us in sustained and ongoing prayer for his release. We will pray together for Shady 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 #4: Holding on in the Dark: Spotlight on Shady Khoury HERE.

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 18th, we call our community to join us in sustained and ongoing prayer for her release. We will pray together for 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.​​​​​​

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. For more information and to contact your members of Congress click the link below.

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. 

 Mourners carry the body of Naji Al-Baba,16, who the Palestinian Health Ministry said was killed by Israeli forces in the town of Halhul, Wst Bank, during his funeral on Monday Nov. 4th 2024 (Ap Photo/ Mahmoud Illean)

Israel ends agreement with UN agency providing aid in Gaza

AP News

“Israel said Monday that it has terminated the agreement facilitating the work of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, in what appeared to be a step to implement legislation passed last month that would sever ties with the agency and prevent it from operating in Israel.”

Emergency workers and locals stand at the site of a demolished building after an Israeli strike near the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 22, 2024. Yara Nardi/Reuters

Israeli military dropped bombs in ‘lethal proximity’ of at least 19 Lebanese hospitals, CNN analysis finds

CNN

“The ground shook, windows shattered, and the cries of patients filled the air. An Israeli bomb had just struck Beirut’s southern suburbs in yet another near-nightly attack – this time hitting a building across the street from Lebanon’s biggest public hospital. “I was treating a patient when the bomb went off. I fell over him from the shock of it,” said Mohammad Fouani, an emergency room nurse at Rafik Hariri University Hospital, recalling the aftermath of the October 21 attack. “The smoke was so thick; I could barely see my fellow colleagues.”

Civil Defense workers search for victims in the rubble of a destroyed building hit in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday night, in Barja, Lebanon on Wednesday, Nov. 6 2024. (AP Photo/ Hassan Ammar)

Rescuers pull 30 bodies from a building in central Lebanon hit in an Israeli strike

AP News

“Lebanese rescuers pulled 30 bodies out of the rubble after a late-night Israeli strike on an apartment building in the town of Barja, Lebanon’s Civil Defense service said Wednesday as the Mideast wars press on with no signs of abating. It remained unclear if there were any survivors or bodies still trapped under the debris following the Tuesday night airstrike, which came without warning. There was no statement from the Israeli military and the strike’s intended target also was unknown."

A F-15 fighter jet flies during a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots at Hatzerim Airbase, in southern Israel, June 29, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Israel signs $5.2 billion deal to acquire 25 F-15 fighter jets from Boeing

Reuters

“The Israeli defence ministry said on Thursday it had signed an agreement to acquire 25 next generation F-15 fighter jets from Boeing Co. It said the $5.2 billion agreement was part of a broader package of U.S. aid approved by the U.S. administration and Congress earlier this year and included an option for 25 additional aircraft.”

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!

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

On November 7 CMEP heard 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 "participating in a demonstration". Two years later, his court case continues to be unresolved. After Rania narrates Shadi's story, Miranda Cleland from Defense for Children International will joined us to share information about the arbitrary arrests of Palestinian children and the conditions they face in detention.

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