FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. - November 27, 2024 | |
Media Contact:
media@cmep.org 925-766-9050 Churches for Middle East Peace Welcomes News of a Ceasefire Between Hezbollah and Israel | |
Washington, DC, 27th November, 2024 – Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) welcomes the news of a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. We commend the cessation of hostilities and urge all parties to adhere strictly to the terms of the ceasefire. It is essential that this moment of respite leads to a sustained peace for all of the people of the region. We emphasize the urgent need for all parties to refrain from hostilities impacting civilians, particularly as families begin to return to their homes in both South Lebanon and Northern Israel. The safety and dignity of these individuals must remain a top priority. As we celebrate this ceasefire, we are deeply mindful of the dire situation in Gaza. The desperate need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire there cannot be overstated. Thousands of Palestinian civilians are suffering unimaginable hardship, and only a ceasefire can halt the escalating humanitarian catastrophe. Furthermore, a ceasefire remains the most viable path to securing the safe return of hostages held in Gaza, and addressing the root causes of the ongoing violence. A ceasefire in Gaza, however, will not happen without decisive action from the United States. CMEP calls for all warring parties to cease their violence. In addition, CMEP calls on the U.S. government to pressure Israel to abide by international law, including by withholding weapons shipments that are used in violation of these laws. President Biden’s repeated affirmations of Palestinians’ rights to live in peace, security, and dignity alongside Israelis ring hollow when the United States continues to veto ceasefire proposals in the UN Security Council and send the very weapons that are in turn used to destroy civilian infrastructure and kill Palestinians. Additionally, the U.S. was one of only six countries that recently voted against a UN resolution affirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. These actions undermine the credibility of U.S. leadership and its stated commitment to peace and justice. President Biden should use every tool at his disposal during the final months of his term to finalize a durable ceasefire in Gaza. CMEP continues to pray and advocate for peace and justice throughout the Middle East. We urge all government leaders to work tirelessly to ensure that ceasefires lead to lasting solutions that uphold human dignity and protect all lives. | |
| 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: Nov 20, 2024 CMEP Sponsors Take a Stand for the Holy Land Campaign
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is co-sponsoring the Take a Stand for the Holy Land Campaign alongside the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP) and Friends of Sabeel North America. This campaign was created to call attention to Israel’s confiscation of Christian and Muslim property and escalation of violence against Palestinians. The campaign is also endorsed by sixteen organizations, including groups from nine major US denominations as per the latest press release. Take a Stand for the Holy Land aims to increase awareness among American Christians on the land left and persecution facing the Palestinian Christian community. Nov 13, 2024 Gaza Humanitarian Snapshot #7
Humanitarian aid entering Gaza has fallen to an all-time low. CMEP, along with dozens of other humanitarian organizations, outlines the dire conditions found in Gaza in this Humanitarian Snapshot. These include the direct targeting of aid workers and aid distribution points. Furthermore, tens of thousands of civilians are still trapped in Northern Gaza, which Israel has stated is a combat zone and will not allow aid to enter the region. Nov 12, 2024 Letter to President Biden to Change U.S. – Israel Policy
CMEP and dozens of other organizations call on President Biden to change the U.S. policy vis-a-vis Israel during the outgoing days of his presidential term. The letter calls on President Biden to acknowledge that the U.S. policy towards Israel has failed and further eroded U.S. interests in the region. It also calls on the President to hold Israel accountable before the law and halt weapons shipments until Israel properly facilitates the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
See all of our public statements and press releases. | |
