We are grieved at the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza. There is urgent work to do for peace and justice. Here is the work Churches for Middle East Peace has done in response, and how you too can take action.
Though we may be weary, we must continue with urgency towards a ceasefire and peace.
Image: A Palestinian woman walks with her child among the rubble after Israeli attacks on Al-Maghazi refugee camp in Deir Al Balah, Gaza. Photo: Belal Khaled/Anadolu via Getty Images
UN chief says Gaza is "graveyard for children" as death toll climbs
Axios
"UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday reiterated his call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, saying such a truce is becoming 'more urgent with every passing hour.' The big picture: The number of Palestinians killed amid Israel's heavy bombardment and ground operation in the Strip surpassed 10,000 on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza. At least 4,104 children are among those killed."
Image: Buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes are seen in Gaza City on Oct. 10, 2023. Israel launched the airstrikes in retaliation for the assault on the country by Hamas. (OSV News photo/Mohammed Salem, Reuters)
Israel, Palestine and just war: America’s editorials over two decades
America Magazine
"Though the Hamas attacks seem to have come as a surprise to Israel and its allies, and have been called 'Israel’s 9/11,' those attacks and the Israeli response since are part of a larger conflict that has dominated the history of the region since the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. America [Magazine] has a long history of covering this conflict, and the possibilities for resolving it, particularly under the leadership of Drew Christiansen, S.J., editor-in-chief of America from 2005 to 2013. "
Also, tune into the Fr. Drew Christiansen Series next week. More on the event below.
Image: Water distribution in Deir al Balah. Photo by UNRWA
Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel, OCHA Flash Update, November 8
UN OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territory
"Due to the lack of fuel to run generators, Al Quds hospital in Gaza city shut down key services on 8 November, and Al Awda hospital, the only provider of maternity services in northern Gaza, warned about an imminent closure.... The daily volume of humanitarian assistance entering from Egypt meets a fraction of people’s needs. Drinking water brought in serves just 4 per cent of Gaza’s residents, while desperately needed fuel remains banned."
Educate: Learn more about the conflict and invite others to do the same through CMEP's webinars and resource materials
Israel-Palestine: Recent Developments and Difficulties Ahead
Join us for the second annual Fr. Drew Lecture Series. This webinar features a panel of speakers on the topic "Israel-Palestine: Recent Developments, Difficulties Ahead." Joining the panel will be Rev. Elias D. Mallon, Nabeela Barbari, and Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. This event will be on Zoom on November 15th, but also live in-person at the University of Scranton (Nov 13) and at Notre Dame (Nov 16). Join us on Zoom, or in person!
The Bombing of Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Partners on the Ground
Join CMEP at noon Eastern on Thursday, November 16th for the webinar: The Bombing of Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Partners on the Ground. Hear from CMEP connections in Palestine and learn about ways you can respond.
In this time of tragedy in Palestine and Israel, join CMEP in lamenting for the region this Advent season. CMEP's 2023 Advent devotional series entitled “In Everlasting Light, Justice Shines” is available for purchase for you or your church group. This devotional book contains devotions for each Sunday of Advent as well as the week leading up to Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Devotions will be posted on this page and through the Prayers for Peace (P4P) blog as they’re released. Click hereto subscribe. If you would like to order a print-on-demand booklet of all of the devotions, this link will direct you to where you may purchase one copy or a copy for your entire Bible study group! There are price breaks when ordering in bulk, and any profit will go toward future publications and CMEP’s work toward Realizing God’s Perfect Peace.
Since October 7, CMEP's Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon has been posting daily update videos on YouTube. Search for @ChurchesforMEP or click here to watch.These videos have sources in the bio, if you are interested in daily articles CMEP would recommend.
Advocate: Contact your representatives to demand change in US policy
Join us on Mondays to make Community Calls to Congress
Join CMEP Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations Kyle Cristofalo (or other CMEP staff) to be briefed on what's happening on Capitol Hill, to learn "how" to call your members, to ask questions about advocacy, and be encouraged in collective advocacy as we call for a Ceasefire Now! Stay tuned for more information and the Zoom link next week.
Important Public Statements from Churches for Middle East Peace:
November 3, 2023: Ceasefire Now! Biden Administration’s Response Inadequate to Catastrophe in GazaAccording to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the death toll in Gaza as of November 2 is 9,061, more than 60 percent of whom are women and children. The total number of Palestinian children killed totals 3,760. The mass slaughter of civilians by any party to the conflict is unacceptable and must stop. The lives of all people, be they Israelis or Palestinians, must be protected.
How are Christians to respond? We hope this special bulletin will provide some opportunities for reflection and engagement. CMEP calls our constituents and membership communions to Fill in the G.A.P. - Give - Act - Pray. (Ezekiel 22:30)
GIVE
Give: Donate to partner with CMEP and amplify voices of peace as we increase our advocacy, education, and outreach efforts in this critical time.
ACT
Act: Education and action is needed now more than ever. CMEP staff is willing to speak with your community about the crisis and how Americans can take action. Email info@cmep.org to see if CMEP staff is available near you.
PRAY
Pray: Read a reflection from peace builder and faith leader within the Messianic Jewish community, Lisa Loden entitled, "Under the Shadow of Death" on our Prayers4Peace blog.
Pray: Churches for Middle East Peace invites you to pray for peace in light of recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Register to join us next Wednesday.
Events to watch if you missed:
Hear from Palestinian Women in Thursday's ASWR Webinar
On November 2, CMEP hosted a kickoff webinar for our women's empowerment initiative 'And Still We Rise' (ASWR). The webinar featured Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, ASWR Coordinator Tamar Haddad, and ASWR Leadership Team Member Shireen Awwad Hilal. The three panelists discussed the urgency of CMEP's work in the midst of the ongoing violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and shared beautiful and vulnerable personal accounts of how these current circumstances have affected them and their loved ones. In addition, the women also spoke to the powerful role that women can play in peacebuilding, and praised the ASWR initiative for giving women a platform to share not only their experiences, but also their expertise. The webinar called upon attendees in the U.S. to take action for a ceasefire and be unafraid to speak out against injustice.
