 |  | September 12th News Bulletin Here’s what’s upcoming and what you may have missed at CMEP and in the news. | | | | 1. Israel's attacks on Hamas in Qatar stun the Gulf and dash chances for a Gaza ceasefire NPR "Qatar has slammed Israel's attack targeting Hamas leaders on its soil as an act of "state terrorism" after an upscale suburb in its capital, Doha, was rocked with explosions that killed six people and dashed hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza, where the Gulf Arab state is a mediator." | | | | | | 2. Israeli airstrikes on Yemen kill at least 35, Houthi officials say AP News "Israel launched another round of heavy airstrikes in Yemen on Wednesday, killing dozens just days after Houthi rebels carried out a drone attack that struck an Israeli airport. The Israeli strikes killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 130 others, the Houthi-run health ministry said. Search crews were continuing to dig through the rubble. Most of those killed were in Sanaa, the capital, where a military headquarters and a fuel station were hit, the health ministry said." | | | | | | 3. Maps: Israel has attacked six countries in the past 72 hours Al-Jazeera "On Tuesday, Israel launched a targeted air strike on a Hamas leadership compound in Qatar’s capital, Doha, during a meeting to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire for Gaza. The attack was part of a wider wave of Israeli strikes extending beyond its immediate borders, and marked the sixth country attacked in just 72 hours and the seventh since the start of this year.” | | | | | | 4. Flotilla for Gaza reports second drone attack on boat at Tunisian port Reuters "The Global Sumud Flotilla, an international aid initiative to deliver vital supplies to Gaza, said on Wednesday that one of its boats was attacked by a drone at a Tunisian port, the second such strike in two days. The GSF, which is seeking to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza using civilian boats, said in a statement that all passengers and crew were unharmed." | | | | | | | | July 10, 2025: 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. | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | Sep 12, 2025: Joint Statement: “A Death Sentence” – Aid Agencies Warn of Israel’s Assault on Gaza City 45 Humanitarian and civil society organizations warn that Israel’s assault on Gaza City amounts to a death sentence. Intensified Israeli military attacks on Gaza City and forced displacement orders for the entire city are leaving families with an impossible dilemma: flee and risk death on the road and in overcrowded displacement areas, or stay and face relentless bombardment in their shelters. | | | | | | | | September 11-13: Church at the Crossroads Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and faithful witnesses from across the country for Church at the Crossroads, a national gathering of Christians who recognize that the church stands at a defining moment–Jesus is urgently calling us back to the narrow way of the cross. As violence escalates in Israel and Palestine, and some in the Church use Scripture to justify war, occupation, or silence, we must ask: Have we traded the gospel of peace for the false promises of security and comfort?
Rooted in Scripture and led by Palestinian Christian leaders, including CMEP executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon—alongside pastors and peacemakers from across North America—this conference invites American Christians to engage in honest reckoning, prophetic reflection, and faithful action. Through worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship, we are called to repentance, renewal, and courageous discipleship. This is a space to confront harmful theologies, rediscover the gospel of the Kingdom, and stand with all who seek justice in the land. Tickets are expected to sell out! Get yours now, using the promo code "CMEP" you'll be eligible for a small discount! | | | | | | September 16, 2025: You're Invited! From Ararat to the World
A Gala Celebrating the Launch of CMEP’s Armenian Advisory Council Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City for an unforgettable evening celebrating the launch of CMEP’s Armenian Advisory Council. This new initiative aims to strengthen engagement with Armenian communities, advocate for human rights, and support the Christian presence across the Middle East. This elegant gala will bring together ecumenical leaders, civic advocates, and philanthropic partners for a night of culture, connection, and shared purpose. Guests will enjoy a curated dinner and wine service inspired by Armenian traditions, a silent auction featuring handmade artisan goods from Armenian workshops in Jerusalem, live music, and thoughtful reflections from distinguished speakers. The evening will feature remarks from His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. Your participation will help shape this new chapter of Armenian advocacy and honor a legacy of resilience and faith that extends from Ararat to the world. | | | | | | | | September 26, 2025: CMEP Webinar: Where is Syria Now?
Join CMEP on September 26th at 6:00 PM for a webinar about Syria. The webinar will cover 3 topics of present-day Syria. We will hear from Rachel Nelson about the Jewish community in Syria, as well as Israel's ongoing occupation of Southern Syria coupled with the ongoing clashes in Suwayda. Tony Alkhoury will talk to us about the Christian community as well as the role of the Syrian Churches in crisis, where do things stand now? Finally, CMEP Board member Sasha Gosh-Siminoff will inform us about aid and development as well as the lack of a transitional justice system aimed at holding all perpetrators accountable. | | | | | | September 1st: Monthly Morning Prayer On September 1st, ahead of Church at the Crossroads (CATX), join CMEP’s Destiny Magnett and fellow CATX organizers Daniel Bannoura, Crystal Silvia-McCormick, and Tony Deik as guests for Red Letter Christians Monthly Morning Prayer. The Red Letter Christians community is dedicated to coming together on the first of every month to center ourselves on Christ through prayer. Striving to build God’s Beloved Community here in our time is tough work, but we use this time to refuel and recommit to living into God’s plan for our lives. We welcome guests and co-conspiring organizations to join us for this time of reflection and centering to share news of their work, reflect on the political moment of our world, or guide us in prayer alongside Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. | | | | | | Destiny Magnett Guest Sermon at First Moravian Church (Dover, OH) Join CMEP programs and outreach manager, Destiny Magnett, for a special guest sermon at First Moravian Church (Dover, OH) on Sunday, September 21st. Destiny will share a message that uses scripture to help us understand how to respond faithfully, through Christian witness, to all that's happening in the Holy Land. The service will also be livestreamed. Following the service, Destiny will join worshippers for Q&A and casual conversation during coffee hour. | | | | | | Kyle Cristofalo at National United Methodist Church (Washington, DC) On Sunday, September 21st, join CMEP senior director of advocacy and government relations, Kyle Cristofalo, for a special adult education session "Faithful Approaches for Seeking a Just Peace in Palestine and the Broader Middle East" at National United Methodist Church. Kyle will share updates from the ground, give an overview of the work of Churches for Middle East Peace, and seek to answer the question– what are the responsibilities and opportunities the church has to engage faithfully around seeking just peace in Palestine and the broader Middle East? including practical steps we can take for faithful advocacy in DC and beyond. | | | | | | September 21, 2025, Prayer on UN World Peace Day Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), alongside partner organizations, is calling churches across the world to join in prayer and public witness on Sunday, 21 September 2025—UN World Peace Day. In response to the devastating violence in Gaza and the West Bank and the urgent appeals of Palestinian church leaders, congregations are invited to pray for peace, include a minute’s silence in services, use Archbishop Hosam Naoum’s prayer for the Holy Land, and join actions such as #FastforGaza. Together, the Church is called to a visible, united witness for peace, justice, and reconciliation. | | | | | | "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. Von der Leyen proposes bolder EU sanctions against Israel over the war in Gaza AP News "European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen broke Wednesday with her pro-Israel stance and announced plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over its military campaign in Gaza. The 27-nation EU is split over war in the Gaza Strip and it’s unclear whether a majority will be found to endorse the sanctions and trade measures. Von der Leyen also said she plans to freeze support to Israel given by the EU’s executive branch, which would not require the approval of all member countries." | | | | | | 6. Anti-Islamic US biker gang members run security at deadly Gaza aid sites BBC "The firm guarding sites where aid is distributed in Gaza has been using members of a US biker gang with a history of hostility to Islam to run its armed security, a BBC investigation has found. BBC News has confirmed the identities of 10 members of the Infidels Motorcycle Club working in Gaza for UG Solutions - a private contractor providing security at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, where hundreds of civilians seeking food have been killed in scenes of chaos and gunfire." | | | | | | 7. US sanctions Palestinian rights groups who asked top court for Israel war crimes investigation CNN "The US State Department has imposed sanctions on three Palestinian human rights groups that asked the International Criminal Court to investigate and arrest Israeli leaders over accusations of war crimes in Gaza. Late last year the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a now deceased senior Hamas official." | | | | | | 8. Pro-Palestine activists call for arrest of Israeli president during UK visit The Guardian "Pro-Palestine activists have requested that an arrest warrant be issued against the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, for alleged war crimes before his arrival in the UK this week. Herzog is accused of aiding and abetting the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza in the request to the director of public prosecutions filed by the Friends of Al-Aqsa campaign group." | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
