Press Release

Wilmington, Delaware - June 12, 2024

Media Contact:
media@cmep.org
202-543-1222

CHURCHES FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE (CMEP) TO HOLD SPECIAL BRIEFING
ABOUT THE WAR ON GAZA AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

What: Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), will host a briefing and community conversation in Delaware on Christian responses to current events in Gaza and broader Israel/Palestine. The briefing will follow morning worship and is open to the Westminster community and the general public. 

Since October 7th, CMEP has called for (1) a permanent bilateral ceasefire, (2) the allowance of adequate humanitarian assistance into Gaza, (3) the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners held without cause, (4) demilitarization, including no additional U.S. arms sales to Israel, (5) for the root causes of the occupation to be addressed. These positions reflect our desire for an end to the atrocities we have seen perpetuated in Gaza and our broader call for the rights and dignity of all people in the Holy Land to be upheld. 

When: Sunday, June 16th, 10:40-11:40 AM EST

Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W 13th St, Wilmington, DE 19806

Quote: “After more than eight months of intense violence and more than 37,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, it is long overdue for all atrocities to be brought to an immediate end. Christians must join the chorus of millions worldwide saying ‘enough is enough’ and using their voices to push their government officials to prioritize pursuing peace over prolonging the war.” –– Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) 

Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of more than 30 national church communions and organizations, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical traditions that works to encourage US policies that actively promote a comprehensive resolution to conflicts in the Middle East with a focus on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. CMEP works to mobilize US Christians to embrace a holistic perspective and to be advocates of equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East.

Recent CMEP Statements and Press Releases:

May 28, 2024: Joint Statement: NGOs demand UN Security Council enforce ICJ orders on Israel’s actions in Rafah. The undersigned NGOs urgently call on all permanent and elected members of the UN Security Council to enforce the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) orders regarding Israel’s actions in Rafah, Gaza. Immediate action is required to uphold international law and ensure the Government of Israel meets its obligations as mandated by the ICJ.

May 17, 2024: CMEP Calls on Biden Administration to Advance Efforts Toward Peace. As an organization of Christian denominations and organizations committed to peace, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) calls on President Biden and his administration to do all that he can to advance efforts toward peace instead of war and further militarization that increases violence and causes immeasurable death and destruction. The United States government must do all that is possible to protect and preserve human life, especially innocent civilians, to honor and protect the humanity of all people who are created in the image of God instead of enabling more actions that will inevitably lead to more suffering, inhumanity, and pain.   

May 15, 2024: World leaders fail to act as Israeli invasion of Rafah worsens humanitarian catastrophe. As the main weapon provider for Israel’s military effort, the United States bears a significant responsibility for Israel’s IHL violations. In addition to halting the transfer of high payload bombs, the US should also use all its leverage to halt the ongoing military operation in Rafah. In fact, All suppliers of arms have to respect the Human Rights Council resolution voted on April 5 calling on them to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel. All states must act now to ensure an immediate and sustained ceasefire.

May 10, 2024: CMEP Welcomes President Biden’s Assurances that U.S. Weapons Will Not Be Used in a Rafah Ground Invasion. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) welcomes recent remarks from President Biden indicating he would stop the transfer of offensive U.S.-sourced arms to Israel, should they proceed with an invasion into Rafah’s population centers. This follows the decision by the Biden Administration to pause at least one shipment of U.S. weapons slated to be delivered to Israel over concerns they could be used in an invasion of Rafah. For months, CMEP – along with Christian leaders from across the country and globe – has called for a demilitarization of the conflict and for halting arms sales to Israel. Human rights groups have already documented how Israel has used U.S.-supplied weapons in violation of humanitarian and human rights law throughout Gaza.

May 2, 2024: Hundreds of U.S. Catholic leaders and laity sign letter urging Permanent Gaza Ceasefire and End to Injustice in Israel and Palestine. In a new letter published today, more than 200 Catholic leaders and 130 Catholic organizations and congregations from across the United States have expressed their anguish over the ongoing violence in Israel-Palestine. The letters’ signers include Cardinal Robert McElroy, bishop of San Diego; Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe; theologian Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, Fordham University; Br. Lawrence Hayes, Provincial Minister, Franciscan Friars; hundreds of women religious and ordained clergy; and many notable Catholic academics, activists, and lay leaders.

See all of our public statements and press releases.