Dear Signers of the Catholic Letter on Israel-Palestine, We are writing to you as members of the Catholic Advisory Council (CAC) of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), one of the four organizations which co-sponsored the Catholic sign-on letter for Israel-Palestine that you signed earlier this summer. We write with sincere gratitude for your participation, and we are heartened by the collective Catholic voice we were able to raise through the letter, which garnered support from nearly 6,000 U.S. Catholic individuals and hundreds of organizations. While the letter has made a significant impact, we know that our efforts must continue. The situation in Israel-Palestine has only worsened. The letter’s call—for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners, halt of U.S. offensive weapons to Israel, and robust humanitarian aid—remains as timely now as when we issued it in May. U.S. policy of providing unconditional military aid to Israel continues to devalue Palestinian lives. We know that only by upholding the human dignity of Palestinians and Israelis can the region know true justice and peace. The letter campaign revealed a desire among American Catholics to be more engaged in the cause for a just peace in the Holy Land. At Catholic events and conferences over the summer, we had the chance to speak with many of you and heard about the many ways you are praying and working for change. We would like to hear from you (using this form) if you have shared or used the letter in some way, if you have been engaging in Palestine-Israel solidarity and education, or if you have suggestions to build off the momentum of this initiative. This will help us keep track of the important work the American Church is doing. We hope to stay in touch with you all and to form a stronger network of Catholics who are concerned about the pursuit of social justice and the common good in the Holy Land. To that end… - We invite you to sign up for weekly Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) emails. These will keep you up to date on what is happening in Palestine and Israel from a broadly Christian ecumenical perspective. You can opt-in to sign up here.
- As the Catholic Advisory Council of CMEP, we would also like to share updates with you on a quarterly basis (4 times a year). These would be more narrowly focused on events and resources relevant to Catholic advocacy for the Holy Land. If you do not want to receive these periodic updates, please opt out here.
In the meantime, here are few items to read and watch (and share): Once again we thank you for adding your name and raising your voice for a Gaza ceasefire. We look forward to our continued collaboration and advocacy with hopes for better days ahead in the Holy Land. Sincerely, Julie Schumacher Cohen, CAC member and co-author of the letter Jordan Denari Duffner, CAC member and co-author of the letter Jeff Abood, CAC Chair
*The Catholic Advisory Council (CAC) of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) engages in advocacy and education among American Catholics to promote U.S. policies toward a just and lasting peace. Formed in 1984, CMEP is a coalition of more than 30 national church communions and organizations, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical traditions. |
