October 29, 2026
The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. Dear President Trump: We write to you as nearly 200 Christian leaders from around the world because the historic Christian presence in the Middle East has reached a critical moment. From Jerusalem, the West Bank, Israel, and Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Armenia, ancient Christian communities are facing violence, displacement, economic hardship, insecurity, and emigration. The decline of these communities is not only a concern for Christians; it is a warning that the region’s broader commitments to religious freedom, human dignity, security, and peaceful coexistence are at risk. We urge your Administration to use the considerable diplomatic influence of the United States to urgently work to rectify the realities that are causing Christians to leave. This includes sustained diplomacy to end violence and prevent further regional escalation, robust humanitarian access, protection of civilians and places of worship, and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. In the Holy Land specifically, we ask the Administration to use its influence with the Government of Israel to address policies and practices, including, but not limited to, movement and access restrictions, settlement expansion, displacement, and the failure to adequately protect communities from settler violence, that are contributing to the emigration and insecurity of Palestinian Christians. At the same time, U.S. policy should support the security and continued presence of Christian communities in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Armenia, while recognizing the unique challenges each community faces. The United States has significant influence in shaping the future of the Middle East, and we believe that influence should be used to advance conditions in which all people, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Druze, Yazidis, and others, can live with equal dignity, security, religious freedom, and protection under the law. We respectfully ask your Administration to make preserving the region’s historic Christian communities and religious diversity an important component of U.S. Middle East policy, alongside pursuing a just and lasting peace. We send this with prayers that your Administration can help secure peace and justice for all who call the Middle East home and that you will ardently support the sustainability of the Christian communities throughout the Middle East who are suffering. Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon
Executive Director
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) |
