U.S. Ambassador says Israel is ‘on the side of God’
New York Times

"The United States ambassador to Israel, a driving force in crafting the Trump administration’s long-awaited proposal to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, declared Tuesday that Israel was ‘on the side of God.’ Speaking at a celebration sponsored by an American evangelical group to mark the anniversary of the move of the United States embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, Ambassador David M. Friedman said that Israel was gaining strength.”

Image: Ambassador David M. Friedman, standing next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. (Cohen-Magen/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)

WCC, ACT Alliance, and MECC statement on Gaza
World Council of Churches

“With deep concern over the latest hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and ACT Alliance express their belief that the present situation in the Gaza Strip is morally and ethically untenable. We offer our heartfelt sympathies to all the victims, killed and injured and their families, of the recent intense spate of violence.”

Image: World Council of Churches logo

Blessed are the peacemakers, but what about the troublemakers?
The Christian Citizen

An article written by our executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. “May 14 marks one year since the U.S. Embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, five months after President Trump announced the move December 6. What has the U.S. done about peace since then?"

Image: CMEP Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon.

Congress' Syria panel warns against Trump withdrawal plan
Politico

"The Trump administration should stop withdrawing troops from Syria, where the Islamic State terrorist group already is reconstituting itself and Iran is undeterred in seeking to expand its influence, a congressionally mandated panel of experts is telling lawmakers."

Image: A picture taken on May 8, 2018 shows vehicles and structures of the US-backed coalition forces in the northern Syrian town of Manbij (Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images).

Veteran Palestinian negotiator says she was denied U.S. visa for first time
Reuters

“A veteran Palestinian negotiator said on Monday she had been denied a U.S. travel visa for the first time, and viewed it as retaliation for her criticism of the Trump administration and Israel. Asked about Hanan Ashrawi’s allegations, a U.S. State Department official did not comment directly, but said visas are not refused on the grounds of an applicant’s politics if those political statements or views would be lawful in the United States.”

Image: Palestinian legislator and activist Hanan Ashrawi (REUTERS/Stephanie Mcgehee).

U.S. sends Patriot missiles to the Middle East to counter Iranian threats
Haaretz

"The U.S. will move a Patriot missile battery into the Middle East to counter threats from Iran, the Pentagon said Friday, reflecting ongoing concerns that Tehran may be planning to attack American forces or interests in the region. The Defense Department released a statement about the move but provided no details. An official said the decision comes after intelligence showed that the Iranians have loaded military equipment and missiles onto small boats controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.”

Image: German soldiers fire the Patriot weapons system at the NATO Missile Firing Installation, in Chania, Greece, November 8, 2017. (Sebastian Apel/U.S. Department of Defense, via AP).