CMEP Bulletin: Conference Brings Supporters to DC to Learn and Act; Violence Flares Again; CMEP Meets with Hale, Erekat
weekly update from CMEP
2012 Advocacy Conference Success
CMEP supporters representing almost 25 states gathered at Catholic University in Washington, DC this week to pray and learn to effectively advocate for peace in the Holy Land at the annual Advocacy Conference. On Monday participants received updates about the situation on the ground from some of the most knowledgeable people in the field and learned how to work in their communities around the country.
On Tuesday, attendees gathered at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church for the Congressional Prayer Breakfast. House of Representatives Chaplin Father Patrick Conroy and California Congresswoman Lois Capps expressed the importance of faith while being a peacemaker.
With updated information and renewed faith, participants took their messages of peace to the halls of Congress, where they met with almost 80 representatives and senators. They spoke about continuing funding to the Palestinians, opposing policies that stand in the way of a shared Jerusalem and supporting the Palestinian Christian community. Each office received an invitation from the Jerusalem Churches in the Holy Land inviting them to “come and see” the local Christian communities and listen to voices often drowned out in the conflict.
Also on Tuesday, the distinguished Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat sat down with a small group of prominent retired diplomats, politicians, church leaders, business people and other influential members of the community that sit on the CMEP Leadership Council. Mr. Erekat highlighted the efforts the Palestinians are taking to lay the groundwork for a future state and the status of negotiations. He thanked CMEP for being a steadfast supporter of peace.
The busy calendar of events concluded at the State Department when Leadership Council and board members met with Ambassador David Hale, the U.S. Envoy for Middle East Peace. Those gathered at the meeting were encouraged by signs that the peace process is still moving forward. Ambassador Hale listened to the concerns of those around the table including the ongoing terrorist activity from Gaza and Sinai affecting Southern Israel, pending actions by the Congress that would be barriers to peace, challenges facing Palestinian Christian clergy and worshipers, and planned demolitions in Area C, specifically in the Susiya village in the South Hebron Hills.
The CMEP staff and board would like to thank all of the participants for taking the time to come to the conference. The energy of our supporters sustains us every day as we work to lift up Christian voices calling for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that includes justice, dignity and security for all peoples. Please help us continue our work by giving a gift for peace.
Click here to continue reading this CMEP Bulletin, including the following items:
- Violence on Egyptian Border and in Gaza and Southern Israel
- Violent Price Tag Attacks continue
- Top Israel, Palestinian officials hold separate meetings in Washington