| |  | July 2022 Church Partner Monthly Update | | | | Dear Church Partners, I write to you with Summer greetings and prayers that you find moments of rest and rejuvenation this season. Over the past month, I’ve had many encouraging conversations with church partners and had the opportunity to connect with many who are new to Churches for Middle Peace’s (CMEP) work and eager to engage. After President Biden’s recent trip to Israel and Palestine, CMEP issued a public statement declaring that he “did little to advance the cause of peace.” We understand it as the unique role of CMEP and its constituents–as religious diplomats, leaders, and U.S. citizens–to hold our elected officials and leaders accountable to our country’s values of democracy, freedom, security, and peace. We invite you to join with us in doing so next month for our virtual advocacy summit on The Palestinian Children and Families Act (HR 2590), Accountability Matters, from August 9th-26th. In recent months, many church bodies have engaged in conversations about the question of apartheid in Israel/Palestine in light of recent declarations of Israel as an apartheid state by several international NGOs and Palestinian Christian organizations. While CMEP is comprised of a diversity of church bodies who have divergent perspectives on the use of the word apartheid in the context of Israel/Palestine, we believe deeply in the necessity for the church to engage in learning and conversation on this topic. On June 23,2022, CMEP hosted a webinar entitled, “Israel/Palestine and Apartheid: How Should the Church Respond.” Whether or not you agree with the use of the term apartheid regarding the Israeli occupation, we urge you to learn with and from Palestinians and Israelis who are calling the world into an important conversation.
Together towards peace,  Jennifer Maidrand
Outreach Manager | | | | Take Action! Action Alert: July 20, 2022: Action Alert: Contact Your Senators Now: Ask Them to Cosponsor the Yemen War Powers Resolution The seven-year Saudi-led war and blockade in Yemen have resulted in what the United Nations has described as one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Congress must hold the Biden Administration and Saudi Arabia accountable and bring an immediate end to U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. | | | | | | Accountability Matters: A virtual Advocacy Summit, August 9-26th Join Churches for Middle East Peace for a series of virtual events this August including a webinar, advocacy training, and virtual meetings with your elected officials. This summit will feature flexible scheduling to join parts live or watch recordings and the opportunity to meet others in your local community for a virtual congressional meeting. Accountability Matters will focus on the importance of Human Rights, specifically via the support of HR 2590: Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act introduced by Congresswoman Betty McCollum. | | | | Learn more about the August Advocacy Events Here | | | | | | | | 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. | | | | | | Special Engagement Opportunities: | | | | Take a Course at the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice this Fall The Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice (BIPJ) at Bethlehem Bible College is now enrolling participants for its fall semester course, Peacemaking and Justice in the Palestinian Context. This is an asynchronous, guided, online course that introduces key concepts in both the theory and practice of peacemaking and justice in the context of Palestine and Israel. Students may take the course for either credit or audit. Video recorded lectures are by notable Palestinian Christian and international scholars and leaders. This course provides valuable insight for those who want to grow as peacemakers. CMEP has a long-standing partnership with Bethlehem Bible College, where our Executive Director often teaches in programs such as these. | | | | The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is Seeking New Accompaniers The mission of the EAPPI is to accompany Palestinians and Israelis in their non-violent actions and to carry out concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation. Participants in the program monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy and, in general, stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation. As an Ecumenical Accompanier you serve for 3 months alongside a team of internationals. The next terms begin at the end of August, the beginning of November, and mid-January. You can learn more about the program here. If you are interested in having a conversation to learn more about the program or applying email eappi-us@cwsglobal.org | | | | | | CMEP Church Partner Influences Episcopal Resolution
The Episcopal Church voted July 10, 2022 at its triennial General Convention to endorse a resolution condemning Israel's occupation and oppression of Palestinians and urging the United States to take action to oppose Israeli laws and practices that result in unequal rights for two peoples. The Church also passed a resolution opposing the criminalization and penalization of boycott, divestment and sanctions movements as infringements of First Amendment rights. Approximately thirty states currently have laws limiting the ability of citizens to boycott Israel in protest of its practice. CMEP Organizational Partner, The Episcopal Bishop’s Committee for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, WA, played a significant role in drafting and forwarding these two resolutions related to Palestine and Israel. Do you have an update from your church or organization that you’d like to share? Contact jennifer@cmep.org | | | | Church Partnership Donations We are grateful to all of our church partners for supporting CMEP's mission and joining us in cultivating lasting peace and justice in the Middle East. Thank you to many of you who have already submitted church partnership gifts for 2022. Summer months are often quite dry, both in terms of rain and our donations. For those who are able, help keep our work strong and support CMEP by giving your partnership gift during summer months. | | | | | | Announcements and Updates: | | | | Work with CMEP: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is hiring a part-time Financial Manager. The Financial Manager implements and contributes to an annual finance strategy that equips CMEP to operate with financially sound and efficient principles. The Financial Manager is responsible for payroll, accounts receivable and payable, accounting, audit support, and assisting with the development and annual budgeting processes. For more information please click here.
We're also seeking applicants for the position of Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow (AWCF), and Fall 2022 interns. Find more information about each of these positions here. | | | | | | CMEP in the News: Public Statements: July 19, 2022: CMEP Says Biden’s Visit to Israel and Palestine a “Missed Opportunity” CMEP laments that the visit of President Joe Biden to Israel and Palestine did little to advance the cause of peace. While affirming the U.S.-Israel relationship and the billions of dollars of U.S. assistance that go with it, the President said almost nothing about the abuses committed by Israel with that assistance against Palestinians. July 7, 2022: CMEP Joins Christian Faith Organizations in Support of Rep. Carson’s NDAA Amendment Regarding the Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh Churches for Middle East Peace joined 16 other Christian Faith groups in a letter to Congressional leaders in support of Rep. Carson’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that requires the State Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. CMEP In the News: Supporters of Palestinians in U.S. see little hope for peace progress with Biden’s Middle East visit, Marc Ramirez, USA Today, July 15, 2022. Yemen needs good neighbors, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and Emily Sarmiento, The Christian Citizen, July 13, 2022. There is no decline of Middle East Christianity – the decline is in the number of Christians living there, Archbishop Angaelos, Christianity Today, July 8, 2022. The Pieces of Al-Walajah, Kevin Vollrath, Medium, July 8, 2022. President Biden’s Trip to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Medium, July 7, 2022. | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
