| |  | August 2022 Church Partner Monthly Update | | | | Dear Church Partners, I write to you while listening to the chorus of cicadas and sirens that pours through my window in Southern Ohio. I have not stepped foot in Palestine and Israel for several years, nor am I based in D.C. amid an inspiring environment for advocacy. Yet I am nonetheless encouraged in our work building peace in the Middle East by witnessing the power that we collectively hold to shift U.S. policy. This month, CMEP hosted a virtual Advocacy Summit, Accountability Matters: Advocate for Palestinian Children & Families. In it we focused on equipping constituents to advocate for HR 2590, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act introduced by Congresswoman Betty McCollum. The training was followed by small group discussions, organized by state, for the purpose of coordinating meetings with representatives to speak with them directly about concerns for Palestinian and Israeli human rights under threat. As the Ohio advocacy team gathered virtually to prepare for our meeting with Senator Brown’s office, I was struck by the profound strength we have to influence change through our community engagement. Together– as current and retired pastors, a graduate student, and a local advocacy leader–we could amplify the need for U.S. policies related to Israel/Palestine to hold human rights violations accountable. Together, we catch a glimpse of a peace that is possible, and we ask God to let it be so. Together towards peace,  Jennifer Maidrand
Outreach Manager | | | | Take Action! Action Alert: It has been 100 Days: Demand Justice for Shireen Abu Akleh Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed 100 days ago, but no one has been held responsible. Act now to demand accountability. Take Action Action Alert: Tell Congress: Cosponsor HRes 751 In the middle of the night on August 18, 2022, Israeli forces raided and ordered closed the offices of the six Palestinian Human Rights organizations it earlier designated as “terrorist groups.” Right now it is urgent for Congress to speak out against the attack on human rights defenders in Palestine. Ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor HRes 751, a resolution introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum opposing the declaration of these respected human rights groups as “terrorist organizations.” Take Action | | | | | | Webinar: “Emerging Research from CMEP Academics,” September 29, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET Join CMEP for this invitation into some of the exciting research these academics are developing. This is an opportunity to engage with internal conversations and emerging areas of interest. While CMEP's work most often focuses on politics, members of the CMEP team are currently engaging on a variety of topics ranging from connections between archeology, theology, and politics; higher education in Bethlehem; the experience of American Palestinians; and disability.
I’ll be speaking in this conversation alongside our executive director and other staff. Learn more and register here | | | | | | Special Engagement Opportunities: | | | | CMEP Study Guide: A Land Full of God We are excited to share CMEP’s newly released study guide for A Land Full of God, edited by Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. The book contains over 30 comprehensive essays about the historical, political, religious, and geographical tensions that have led to many of the dynamics we see in Israel and Palestine today. Consider using the study guide for a small group or book study in your congregation this Fall! | | | | | | CMEP's Academic Scholarship: | | | | Chapter: "Problematic Pacifism: Pursuing Biblical Justice Toward Effective change" CMEP celebrates our executive director's new chapter, "Problematic Pacifism: Pursuing Biblical Justice Toward Effective Change" in the new book The Gospel of Peace in a Violent World edited by Shawn and Marlena Graves and published by InterVarsity Press. | | | | Review: Beyond Hashtag Activism Tala Raheb, PhD candidate at Emory University & Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow, reviews Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon's Beyond Hashtag Activism in the Covenant Quarterly. Vol. 80 No. 1 (2022): Spring/Summer | | | | | | Announcements and Updates: | | | | Work with CMEP: CMEP is currently accepting applications for interns for the 2022-23 school year. CMEP seeks inquisitive, independent, and enthusiastic interns interested in working for peace regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through supporting and equipping grassroots advocacy and education. Interns are essential to our work and receive mentoring and valuable experience through their internship. Interns work in our DC office or remotely for 15+ hours per week. More details and instructions to apply are available at https://cmep.org/internships/. | | | | | | CMEP in the News: Public Statements: August 17, 2022: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) calls on U.S. Government to address underlying causes of Israeli violence against Gaza CMEP calls on the US government to work to preserve the ceasefire and to insist Israel ends its 15-year blockade of Gaza, an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, and an act of collective punishment that has turned Gaza into the world’s largest open-air prison. The U.S. must stop enabling Israeli impunity in violating human rights and humanitarian law, and instead, work toward a comprehensive and enduring end to the conflict that will result in human rights and equality for all Israelis and Palestinians. August 3, 2022: CMEP Calls on Biden Administration to Condemn Mitzpe Kramim Outpost Legalization CMEP calls on the Biden Administration to condemn this new legal precedent, potentially legalizing settlement outpost expansion. CMEP In the News: Mental Health in Palestine: Collective Trauma and Storytelling Under Occupation, Tala Raheb, Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow at CMEP, Medium, August 15, 2022. IDC Religious Advisory Board Stands in Solidarity with Maronite Patriarch Rai and Archbishop Mousa El-Hajj, EIN News, July 29, 2022. United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, NGO Action News, July 28, 2022. Protect the Children of Palestine, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Medium, July 27, 2022. U.S. church leaders decry Biden visit as ‘missed opportunity’, Mondoweiss, July 21, 2022. CMEP Says Biden’s Visit to Israel and Palestine a “Missed Opportunity”, Global Ministries, July 20, 2022. Press Releases: August 5, 2022: Press Release: In Memoriam – Dr. Ron Sider Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) grieves the news of the passing of Dr. Sider and stands alongside our member organization Christians for Social Action (CSA) as they respond to the loss of their founder and friend. | | | | | | To receive a weekly summary of updates from the Middle East, including CMEP in the News, sign up for our weekly bulletins here. | | | | Learn more about how CMEP educates, elevates, and advocates for holistic peace by watching our video below. | |  | | | | | | | Contact Us Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 311
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222 info@cmep.org | | | | | | | |
