| Type | 501(c)(3) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Key people | Warren Clark, Executive Director |
| Area served | United States, Israel, Palestinian Territories, |
| Focus | Israeli-Palestinian conflict, peace, security |
| Website | http://www.cmep.org |
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. As a coalition of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches, CMEP works to influence American policy in ways that will bring justice and peace for all people and countries in the Middle East.[1] Currently, Churches for Middle East Peace has over 100 partner churches.[2]
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According to its website, CMEP promotes positions that:
CMEP is a sponsor of the Shared Jerusalem Campaign, which proposes to make the city a shared property of the Israelis and Palestinians.[4]
CMEP emphasizes the important role that Christians have to play in prospects for pluralism and democracy in Palestinian society and supports a safe and secure state of Israel. It urges the United States to pursue the creation of a Palestinian state and the end of Israel’s occupation as integral to helping Israel achieve the security, recognition and normalization of relations with all countries of the region that it has long been denied.[5]
CMEP has vocally supported the efforts of the Obama Administration to re-establish direct negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian parties. On August 30, 2010 they organized a letter to President Obama stating support for his goal of ending the occupation that has existed since 1967 and achieving a just and comprehensive two-state solution to the current conflict. Signed by the leadership of 29 national Christian denominations and organizations, the letter acknowledged the difficulties in achieving this goal, but pledged the U.S. Christian community’s efforts to expand the dialogue with American Jewish and Palestinian communities to help achieve this goal.[6]
CMEP has also advocated for U.S. leadership in ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In June 2010 they issued a statement advocating for the relief of the blockade of Gaza. In doing so, they affirmed their position that Palestinians have the right to more than just humanitarian aid. They are entitled “to trade, travel, study, and engage in productive work, subject only to reasonable security requirements, and to take part in building a viable Palestinian state together with those who live in the West Bank. Israel has the right to self-defense and to prevent illicit trafficking in arms.”[7]
According to Haaretz, the Foreign Ministry of Israel would not meet with a US Congressional delegation sponsored by CMEP and J Street because the Ministry viewed these organizations as an "anti-Israel."[8] Congressman Bill Delahunt, a member on the congressional delegation noted: “We were puzzled that the Deputy Foreign Minister has apparently attempted to block our meetings with senior officials in the Prime Minister's office and Foreign Ministry - questioning either our own support of Israel or that we would even consider traveling to the region with groups that the Deputy Foreign Minister has so inaccurately described as "anti-Israel."”[9]
According to Rabbi A. James Rudin, director of interreligious affairs for the American Jewish Committee, CMEP and its member churches "basically take an anti-Israel position and historically have had a double standard for Israel and Palestinians."[10] According to Eugene Korn of the American Jewish Congress, CMEP's "rhetoric" is "anti-Israel." [11]
These extreme views do not however reflect the reality of CMEP's balanced approach. For example, during the 2008-2009 Gaza War, CMEP acknowledged that "Israel's massive military operation has taken a terrible toll on Gaza's population and public infrastructure, while ongoing indiscriminate rocket attacks against towns in southern Israel have made normal life there impossible." [12] In addition, CMEP has received praise for its bi-partisan and even handed approach, seeking only to move toward a negotiated peace for both Israel and Palestinians.[13]
Churches for Middle East Peace Executive Director, Warren Clark, was a career U.S. Foreign Service officer in the Department of State, serving in the Middle East, Europe, Canada, Africa, and at the United Nations. He was Chargé d'affaires in Lagos, Nigeria; the U.S. Ambassador in Libreville, Gabon; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa in Washington; and represented the U.S. on the UN Security Council for Middle East and African issues. In addition to his diplomatic service, Ambassador Clark worked on international programs at the Washington National Cathedral and chaired the Commission on Peace for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. He also has served as a chaplain at Sibley Hospital.
CMEP's governing board, which makes all policy decisions, is composed of staff from the national policy offices of the coalition members. This board makes all policy decisions. CMEP staff and the board implement these through concrete educational and advocacy actions. CMEP's Board Members include:
Martin Shupack, CMEP Board Chair, Church World Service
Catherine Gordon, CMEP Board Vice Chair, Presbyterian Church, USA
Aura Kanegis, CMEP Board Secretary-Treasurer
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, CMEP Executive Committee, Armenian Orthodox Church
Bob Tiller, Alliance of Baptists
Jonathan Evans, Friends Committee on National Legislation
Alex Patico, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Fr. George Rados, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
John Sullivan, M. M., Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Mennonite Central Committee
Michael McNulty, Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Men’s Institutes
Wayne Burkette, Moravian Church in America
Rev. Michael Kinnamon, National Council of Churches
Peter Makari, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Jay Wittmeyer, Church of the Brethren
Rev. Marlin Vis, Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed Church
Eric Cherry, Unitarian Universalist Association
Alex Baumgarten, Episcopal Church
Dennis Frado, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Peter Makari, United Church of Christ
Russ Testa, Franciscan Friars (OFM)
Mark Harrison, United Methodist Church
Tatiana Dwyer, United Methodist Office for the UN
"By your presence and activity, you manifest the true spirit of this country. I applaud you for your work and I am happy to be on the same team as CMEP" -Representative Brian Baird (Washington) [14]
"Churches for Middle East Peace presents opinions and information both to me and to my staff that are balanced and that I take seriously. On the thorny issues that are part and parcel of Middle East policy, CMEP gives clarity to the voice of the churches." –United States Senator Jim Jeffords (Vermont) [15]
"As one who believes that peace in the Middle East is possible, I applaud the work of Churches for Middle East Peace. I have found CMEP’s advocacy efforts in Washington to be indispensable, both in my role as general secretary of the National Council of Churches and as a former member of Congress." – Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, National Council of Churches [15]
"...Your organization's bipartisan efforts...to advocate for sustained U.S. leadership in the peace process are admirable...Your vision for a negotiated agreement to end the conflict, with a secure Israel living side by side with a viable and independent Palestinian state, is both valuable and timely...CMEP's advocacy work is important. Thanks to you and your members for your continued work to promote a just, lasting and comprehensive peace." -Sen Richard Lugar (Indiana) [16]
"The Arab – Israeli conflict is not primarily religious in nature. But I believe religious leaders – Christian, Jewish and Muslim – can play a critical role in finding solutions. Of course, the path to peace will be long and difficult. But we will find strength if we travel it together. I thank you for your commitment in this endeavor and congratulate you on a successful conference." -Sen. John Kerry (Massachusetts) [16]
"While it is important to always pray for peace, your active commitment to peacemaking at the grassroots level is imperative to the success of hte President's peace efforts" -Rep. Donald Payne (New Jersey-10) [16]
Website: http://www.cmep.org/
"...Your organization's bipartisan efforts...to advocate for sustained U.S. leadership in the peace process are admirable...Your vision for a negotiated agreement to end the conflict, with a secure Israel living side by side with a viable and independent Palestinian state, is both valuable and timely...CMEP's advocacy work is important. Thanks to you and your members for your continued work to promote a just, lasting and comprehensive peace." -Sen Richard Lugar (Indiana)