CMEP Delegation Meets With Palestinian President Abbas on 100th Anniversary of Balfour Declaration

CMEP Delegation Meets With Palestinian President Abbas on 100th Anniversary of Balfour Declaration

CMEP_logo.jpgToday, CMEP Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon; CMEP Board Chair, Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler; and a delegation from CMEP member denominations, including Church of the Brethren and Christian Reformed Church in North America, met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During the meeting, President Abbas expressed appreciation to Rev. Dr. Cannon for CMEP’s work.

We would like to share our press release on the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration and the CMEP delegation meeting with President Abbas.

For Immediate Release: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Delegation Meets With Palestinian President Abbas on 100th Anniversary of Balfour Declaration

Washington, D.C. – November 2, 2017 – Today marks the 100th anniversary of the historic declaration by Lord Balfour of Great Britain that “[viewed] with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” The Balfour Declaration also stated “that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shakes hands with CMEP ED Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon in Ramallah on November 2, 2017.

CMEP Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon; CMEP Board Chair, Rev. Nathan Hosler; and a delegation from CMEP member denominations, including Church of the Brethren and the Christian Reformed Church in North America, met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During the meeting, President Abbas expressed appreciation to Rev. Dr. Cannon for CMEP’s work.

CMEP’s delegation also attended an event, hosted by President Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, recognizing nine British citizens who walked more than 3,000 km over 4.5 months to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people on the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. Called a “Just Walk to Jerusalem,” the journey was organized by Holy Land Trust and Amos Trust. At various times, more than 60 British pilgrims joined the walk “in penance for Britain’s failure to ensure the Balfour Declaration’s promise.” Click here to watch a video from one of the participants.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) laments the unilateral translation of the Balfour Declaration into support of one people group over another.

CMEP is committed to a just and durable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in which Israelis and Palestinians realize the vision of a just peace, which illuminates human dignity and cultivates thriving relationships. CMEP works for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, and seeks to promote a solution that advances security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians.

CMEP’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Cannon writes from Ramallah: “Today is a day of celebration for many within the Jewish community and of devastating loss for the Palestinians. In the midst of these contradictory realities, may church leaders be committed to justice and equal rights, security, and opportunities for a prosperous future, for all people living in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories.”

Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of 27 national church denominations 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.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ are among the members of CMEP.