December 6th News Bulletin

Palestinian children play in rubble in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday. (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

History will judge Biden harshly on Gaza

Washington Post

"The article, written by Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat representing Maryland, critiques President Biden’s Middle East policies, highlighting missed opportunities to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, settlement expansion, and humanitarian crises. Van Hollen argues that Biden’s initial pledges to support a two-state solution and values-based foreign policy have been undermined by inaction and unconditional military aid to Israel, even as Prime Minister Netanyahu's far-right government intensifies settlement activities and disregards U.S. calls for humanitarian relief.

Van Hollen urges Biden to take bold steps, including recognizing a Palestinian state, enforcing U.S. laws on aid restrictions, and sanctioning ultranationalist Israeli officials like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. He warns that without immediate action, the U.S. risks perpetuating the conflict and enabling further erosion of peace prospects, especially with the potential return of Trump and heightened extremism in Israeli policy."

Residents of the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem protest in 2023 a land deal that threatens to displace them from a site Armenian Christians have lived on since the 5th century. / Maya Alleruzzo / AP Photo

From CMEP's Own: These Forgotten Christians Know What It’s Like To Be Without a Country

Sojourners

“Jerusalem’s Old City has often been a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but within its walls lies a lesser-known story of occupation and resilience. The Armenian Quarter, a Christian enclave that has endured for centuries, now finds itself under threat. In the context of occupied East Jerusalem, where Palestinians continually face displacement and erasure of their cultural and physical presence, the Armenian community’s struggle reflects a larger pattern. Though they make up a small portion of the city’s population, Armenians have called Jerusalem home for more than 1,700 years, surviving waves of conflict and colonial powers.” 

This piece was co-written by CMEP's Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and Communications Coordinator Christopher Huth.

Christianity Today Flier. 

From CMEP’s Own: Evangelical leaders challenge Christianity Today on coverage of Gaza War

Reuters

“Disagreement over the Gaza war among evangelicals is no surprise given the complicated history in Israel/Palestine and Christians’ deep engagement with the Holy Land. Christianity Today, a flagship evangelical publication, has covered the situation in the Holy Land since its founding in the 1950s from various perspectives. But some concerned evangelical leaders believe the magazine’s coverage has taken a turn in the war on Gaza toward a decidedly “pro-Israel stance in a way that is anti-Palestinian.” They reference misleading or inaccurate statements about the war, a bias poorly reflecting the perspectives of Palestinian Christians, platforming extremists and stoking tensions and stereotypes.”

This piece was written by CMEP's Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow Dr. Scott Gustafson and includes view points by CMEP's Director of Academics Dr. Benjamin Norquist.

 Israel insists that it is acting fully in accordance with international law in Gaza.

Amnesty accuses Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza

BBC

“Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza war, which Israel strongly denies. The UK-based human rights group said its conclusion was based on “dehumanising and genocidal statements” by Israeli officials, digital images and witness testimony and must serve as “a wake-up call” to the international community. Israel’s foreign ministry described the 295-page report as “entirely false and based on lies”, while the Israeli military said the claims were “entirely baseless and fail to account for the operational realities” it faces. In the past day, meanwhile, local medics say at least 50 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza.”

CMEP Action Alert

During the Advent season (through Orthodox Christmas) Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and other partners are joining together to call for a suspension of arms sales to Israel and push for a comprehensive permanent ceasefire and an end to all violence. As Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank continue to suffer under the Israeli military aggression, the United States must end its active participation in the ongoing violence by halting all arms sales to Israel.

As Christians prepare for the season of Advent where we celebrate the Prince of Peace, please consider joining CMEP in our Advent not Arms campaign. Make your voices heard today by letting your members of Congress you want the U.S. government to prioritize peace and an end to violence over continuing to supply weapons that will cause further death and destruction.

CMEP Sponsors Take a Stand for the Holy Land Campaign

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is co-sponsoring the Take a Stand for the Holy Land Campaign alongside the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP) and Friends of Sabeel North America. This campaign was created to call attention to Israel’s confiscation of Christian and Muslim property and escalation of violence against Palestinians. The campaign is also endorsed by sixteen organizations, including groups from nine major US denominations as per the latest press release. Take a Stand for the Holy Land aims to increase awareness among American Christians on the land left and persecution facing the Palestinian Christian community.

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.

Advent Not Arms D.C. Prayer Vigil December 10th

Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on December 10th at Shiloh Baptist Church for our “Advent Not Arms” prayer vigil for peace. This vigil will feature remarks from Christian leaders representing several our member denominations and organizations. This evening vigil also comes on International Human Rights Day, as we call Christians around the world to stand for values of justice and dignity for Gaza and all people in the Middle East. 

A Peace & Reconciliation Conference Series Jesus/Eisa & the Qur'an

This educational conference is inspired by the fact that Jesus (Eisa in The Quran) holds a unique and revered position in both Islam and Christianity. It aims to explore Jesus and his teachings, focusing on his principles rather than doctrinal differences. By doing so, we seek to foster understanding, reconciliation, and collaboration between Muslim and Christian communities.

The dates for this educational conference are December 13-15, 2024. The conference will be hybrid, conducted online to support global participation and in-person in Washington D.C. to support in-depth engagement amongst U.S. Government influencers and decision-makers. The core of the conference consists of three two-hour sessions of expert speakers conducted in a time frame that allows all participants to connect simultaneously from time zones around the world: 11AM-1PM EST, 8AM-10AM PST, 8PM-10PM PKT (Pakistan).

There will be an in-person gathering as part of the online-conference on Friday December 13th, 10:30AM – 1:30PM at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (Conference Room 401-F). The room capacity is 40 people, so please let us know upon registration if you would like to attend the local gathering. Seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

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. 

US special envoy Amos Hochstein talks to reporters following his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (not pictured) in Beirut on November 20, 2024. (AFP)

US said to warn Israel it is violating ceasefire in Lebanon, singling out drone flights over Beirut

Times of Israel

"The US has warned Israel that it is violating parts of the ceasefire deal with Lebanon, Hebrew media reports. US special envoy Amos Hochstein reportedly sent a message urging Israel to uphold the agreement. In particular, he cited Israeli drone flights over Beirut, Hebrew media cited Israeli sources as saying. It comes a day after Hebrew media outlets reported that, according to French diplomatic sources, France has accused Israel of 52 ceasefire violations."

Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah a Source of “Profound Hope” for Middle East

US Conference of Catholic Bishops

"News of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was received with “profound hope” by Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace."

]People gather in front of Hama governor's building after Syrian rebels captured the city during their advance across northern Syria, in Hama, Syria December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano 

Syrian rebels capture key city of Hama in fresh blow to Assad

Reuters

“Syrian rebels captured the city of Hama on Thursday, a major victory in a week-old lightning advance across northern Syria and a devastating new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies. After years locked behind frozen frontlines, the rebels have b in urst forth to mount the swiftest battlefield advance by either side since a rebellion against Assad descended into civil war 13 years ago. The capture of Hama gives them control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before.”

Abu Mohammed al-Julani [Handout/US State Department]

Who is Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leader of HTS in Syria?

Al-Jazeera

“In just three days, opposition fighters captured Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, after the stunning collapse of government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Leading the offensive was Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who stands at the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that has become the most powerful armed opposition force in Syria.”

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