March 2023 CMEP Monthly Update

March 2023

Check out the latest opportunities and events from
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP).

In-Person Advocacy Summit

Register Now! Join Churches for Middle East Peace for our first in person Advocacy Summit since 2019. On April 20 we will hear from keynote speakers and panelists from Israel/Palestine and the U.S. including Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, and Rev. Dr. Jack Sara. Participants will have the opportunity to take the stories they have heard and advocate on behalf of human rights in Israel and Palestine with their Congressional offices on Friday, April 21. We hope you will consider joining us for fellowship, learning, and the chance to raise your voice on Capitol Hill this April.

Click Here to Register

Non-Violent Peacebuilding

Join Westminster Presbyterian Church (Delaware) and Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) on March 19th for a conversation about non-violent peacebuilding and advocacy related to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. You will hear from Michael Feigenbaum and Ismail Assad from Combatants for Peace about how they were compelled to break cycles of violence in Israeli and Palestinian society and work for collective peace and justice. Kyle Cristafalo from Churches for Middle East Peace will speak about the role the American church plays in advocating for a just peace in Israel/Palestine.

"Til Kingdom Come"

On Sunday February 12, Churches for Middle East Peace with the Palestine Israel Network–Episcopal Peace Fellowship co-hosted an online discussion about the documentary “Til Kingdom Come” hosted by Voices From the Holy Land. The event was recorded and is available to watch now!

Watch Webinar Recording

Lent 2023 Devotional Series

The theme for this year's Lent Devotional Series will be "Lent 2023: Realizing God's Perfect Peace". You still have the opportunity to purchase this year's physical copy, or you can sign up to recieve the series in your email inbox.

Get Your Copy

Healthcare in Gaza

On February 28, 2023, CMEP hosted a webinar called ‘Healthcare in Gaza: Snapshots of Healing in Times of Destruction’ featuring Drs. Khadra H Salami, Osama Tanous, and Kenny Schmitt. Gaza has been acquainted with unspeakable destruction for decades. Yet throughout its turbulent history, countless individuals have stepped in to offer healing. Doctors and nurses, medical technicians and first responders, international and local, had worked together to mend the wounds of those who suffered. In this seminar, we posed one question—what was it like to offer healing in times of destruction? To answer, we heard from panelists who provide snapshots of their experiences historically, organizationally, and personally.

Watch the Webinar

CMEP in the News:

Churches urge USA and Israel to address growing violence in Holy Land, Independent Catholic News, February 24, 2023.

Syria earthquake: National faith organisations urge US to lift sanctions, Middle East Eye, February 17, 2023.

Public Statements:

February 23, 2023: CMEP Condemns Increasing Violence and Calls on the United States and Israel to Address Core Issues of Settlements and State Violence CMEP condemns the alarming increase in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli authorities and settlers. Every day brings news of new violations, killings, and provocations.

February 17, 2023: CMEP Joins 16 Faith Groups in Calling For United States to Lift Sanctions and Expedite Relief to Syria & Turkey after Earthquake Early on the morning of February 6, the region surrounding Gaziantep in Southern Türkiye was hit with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by a second earthquake nine hours later with a magnitude of 7.5. Since then, there have been well over a hundred aftershocks, with many more expected in the coming weeks and months.