June 24, 2025, Washington D.C.- Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, and we urge all parties to uphold this fragile but essential step toward de-escalation. We commend efforts by regional and international actors who helped broker this cessation of hostilities and strongly encourage all parties, including the United States, to ensure the ceasefire holds. Any further provocations or violations risk reigniting a dangerous new round of violence that could engulf the region in wider war. The United States must now act as a responsible stakeholder and diplomatic leader by using its influence to reinforce the ceasefire and prevent either side from breaking it. This moment must not be wasted as it is a critical opportunity to step back from the brink of full-scale war and pursue long-term diplomatic solutions to the root causes of conflict in the region. While we are grateful for the ceasefire, the United States should not have attacked Iranian nuclear facilities to start with. These actions were not only reckless and deeply destabilizing but also in violation of international law. This escalation nearly ignited a regional conflict with consequences that could have reverberated across the Middle East and the world for generations. If this back and forth violence had continued, the United States risked being drawn into yet another catastrophic war in the Middle East. We say clearly: No more war. Past U.S. military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in the loss of millions of lives, economic devastation, widespread sectarian violence, famine, and the rise of violent extremism. These wars have inflicted immense suffering on the people of the region, while U.S. soldiers have borne the unbearable burden of sacrificing their lives in endless, misguided conflicts. We cannot allow this tragic history to repeat itself. The threat of war with Iran has also dangerously diverted global attention from the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. While headlines shifted to Tehran, Palestinians in Gaza have continued to be killed, often while seeking humanitarian aid at distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Starvation, displacement, and mass civilian casualties persist. We urge the U.S. and the international community to immediately refocus their attention on ending the war on Gaza. The ceasefire between Iran and Israel must now be matched with a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Justice, security, and peace cannot be selectively applied. The lives of Palestinians matter, and the ongoing devastation in Gaza must not be normalized or ignored. We call on the Trump administration to take bold steps to preserve peace, uphold international law, and support diplomatic efforts. Another way forward is possible, a path rooted in justice, accountability, human dignity, and peace. | 
