In late October 2021 the Israeli Defense Ministry designated six prominent Palestinian human rights groups as "terrorist organizations." Many of these human rights organizations work closely with the international community to develop Palestinian civil society, document human rights violations, and defend Palestinians in Israeli courts. Churches for Middle East Peace recently hosted a webinar to learn more about the challenges facing Palestinian human rights groups and the impact this decision will have on not only these six organizations, but Palestinian civil society as a whole.
On October 13, 2021, CMEP's executive director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon spoke as a part of a four-part webinar series co-hosted by the Islamic Council of New England in partnership with Boston Workmen's Circle and other sponsors. The focus of the conversation was The Sanctity of the Holy Land - How Can We share. More than 200 people were in attendance and other speakers included Rabbi Barbara Penzer and Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway - Imam Al-Ghazali at Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds University.
The Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME), in partnership with Global Immersion and the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) hosted a conversation to explore the current surge of violence in Palestine and Israel, reveal some of the parallels between the Christian Nationalism that threatens our continent and the Christian Zionism that undergirds the violence in the Middle East, and discuss how those committed to racial justice here can become committed to racial justice and liberation over there.
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace, was a panelist on this webinar.
CMEP hosted a webinar addressing the current situation in Israel/Palestine, hearing directly from leaders on the ground.
Panelists were: Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb (Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts & Culture), Rula Salameh (Education and Outreach Director, Palestine Just Vision), Suha Salman Mousa (the Executive Director of the The Mossawa Center مركز مساواة) and Bassam Nasser (Head of Office, Catholic Relief Services).
The discussion is led by CMEP's Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon with an advocacy update from Kyle Cristofalo, CMEP's Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Engagement.
In decades past and especially under the Trump Administration, the American Christian Evangelical movement has played a significant role in influencing US policymaking related to Israel, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the wider Middle East. After contributing a substantial show of electoral support for Trump during the 2016 election, evangelicals were among those pushing for and celebrating controversial actions like the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and the administration’s many steps to legitimize and support the Israeli settlement movement. Why does this movement have such a vested interest in Israel’s political fate, and what are the beliefs, motivations and goals behind their advocacy efforts? This discussion will assess how the Evangelical movement has impacted the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to date - and what their involvement may look like going forward. The panel will be moderated by journalist Arianna Skibell and will feature Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace, and Greg Khalil, President and Co-Founder of Telos.
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), and speakers from Combatants for Peace host a dialogue about constructive conflict, peace, advocacy, and the reality of life in Israel and Palestine.
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) speaks to American Christians about the need to think, speak, and act differently in order to create a holistic peace for Palestinians and Israelis. Cannon says, “May we not demonize the Jewish people of Israel and at the same time may we not compromise on diligently responding to the injustices that we witness.”
Rev. Dr. Mae Cannon of “Churches for Middle East Peace” interviews two very special guests; Jessica Montell, and Sami Awad. Jessica is an Israeli Jew, and the Executive Director of Hamoked. Sami is a Palestinian Christian and executive director of Holy Land Trust. Sami and Jessica are speaking together in locations across the US as part of the “Pilgrimage to Peace tour.” They sat down to discuss ways the church in America can help promote peace in the Holy Land.
