Churches for Middle East Peace

10/09/2026

CMEP joins more than 100 humanitarian, human rights, and civil society organizations in signing a joint statement marking one year since the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The organizations warn that the ceasefire exists in name only, as Palestinians continue to be killed and injured, while restrictions on humanitarian aid, medical supplies, shelter, and reconstruction materials leave millions facing hunger, displacement, and devastating living conditions. The statement calls on governments to use their influence to end the ongoing violence, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and support meaningful recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.

Full statement: https://cmep.salsalabs.org/ceasefire09102026

10/08/2026

The Christian Advocacy Summit team is thrilled to announce our first keynote speaker for April's summit will be H.E. Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land. You can read more about Bishop Haddad's ministry and leadership at summitforpeace.org

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Less than 20 Super Early Bird registration tickets remain! Don't lose your discounted spot ---> summitforpeace.org

10/08/2026

CMEP extends our deepest condolences and prayers to the families of Maysaa and Mary, to the Christian community in Gaza, and to all those mourning their loss. We join the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Holy Family Catholic Parish, and the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza in grieving these two women and praying for comfort and strength for their loved ones. Their deaths are a painful reminder that Palestinians in Gaza continue to be killed as innocent bystanders in strikes that Israel describes as causing “collateral damage.” Whatever terminology is used, the scale of civilian death and destruction in Gaza is unacceptable by any standard. The loss of innocent human life cannot be reduced to a statistic or dismissed as an unavoidable consequence of war.

10/07/2026

Killing does not make people safer. War does not make security. Revenge does not heal trauma. And the domination of one people over another cannot produce a just and lasting future.

Scripture reminds us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). This is not a call to forget the wounds of October 7, nor does it diminish the responsibility to hold those who commit violence accountable. Rather, it is a recognition that answering violence with ever greater violence only perpetuates the very cycle from which we desperately need to escape.

Full letter:https://cmep.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Three-Years-After-October-7_-Violence-Cannot-Be-the-Way-Forward.pdf



Photo by Mohammed Ibrahim on Unsplash

10/07/2026

Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow Andrew Wickersham unpacks the latest data in UNICEF's recent report on the nutritional crisis in Gaza. He argues in the Christian Citizen that the decline in chronic hunger since the October 2025 ceasefire shows just how crucial the resumption of international aid has been for alleviating famine conditions. He calls on American Christians to advocate for a permanent end to Israel's Gaza blockade and to support unrestricted humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Full article: https://www.christiancitizen.us/articles/gaza-is-still-hungry

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

Join the Institute for the Study of Eastern Christianity at the Catholic University of America CMEP for the annual Fr. Drew Christiansen Lecture at the Catholic University of America. This year’s lecture will feature Mr. Farid Jubran, who serves as Public & Governmental Affairs Advisor to the Roman Catholic diocese for Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. Mr. Jubran’s lecture “The Lord is the Maker of Them All” The Church’s Vision for Building a Holy Land of Equals will discuss challenges and opportunities for building a Holy Land of equals for the Abrahamic faiths in Palestine and Israel. H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia of the Apostolic Nunciature USA will deliver an opening blessing for the event. Learn more and register: https://cmep.org/cmep-events/2026-fr-drew-lecture-cua/

10/03/2026

Nonviolent resistance is one of the strongest tools we have to address systemic oppression and deeply imbedded structures of injustice. May we stand together in solidarity on this International Day of Nonviolence as we advocate for and the acknowledgement that all people are made in the image of God.

10/02/2026

UPDATE: We have reports that Issa has been released after 7 hours and is ok. We praise God for his release, and also recognize that this incident is just one in a broader system of arbitrary arrests and detentions in the occupied Palestinian territories. We continue to lift up prayers for all those facing these conditions, including Palestinian Christian Natalie Abu Dayyeh, who was arrested in June alongside three of her classmates and remains imprisoned. Be sure to follow CMEP for updates like this and urgent calls to prayer. We also encourage you to pair these prayers with direct action using our most recent action alerts at cmep.org/action-alerts/