Syria: U.S. Catholic Leaders Urge Inclusive Diplomacy and Dialogue for a Just Peace
"We Must Stop the Potential for Further Violence in Syria: War Is Not the Answer"
Maryknoll and its international affiliates have been engaged in the struggle for peace and justice in the Middle East for many years. We support the work of Muslims, Christians, and Jews around the region who challenge of racism, political and economic inequality, military occupation, and who promote inter-religious dialogue. In Washington D.C., the Office for Global Concerns analyzes issues affecting the Middle East in its cultural and historical contexts so that U.S. citizens and law makers can make informed decisions about foreign policy and better understand this important and diverse region of the world.
"We Must Stop the Potential for Further Violence in Syria: War Is Not the Answer"
Members of the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy issued a statement on the latest violence at the Gaza border fence on April 12, 2018.
On December 8, 2015, eleven faith groups who are members of the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy met with the U.S. Department of State.
The following statement was published in 2003, as the U.S. grew closer to military action against Iraq. Updated versions were published in 2005 and 2008.
In a recent letter to Congress, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) and 14 other Christian groups urged the U.S. to investigate possible human rights and weapon violations by the government of Israel.
SPECIAL UPDATES will be available weekly as needed. This update concerns the Gaza Fence Protests.
Call for an end to the use of violence by Israeli forces against the protesters in Gaza.
SPECIAL UPDATES will be available weekly as needed. This update concerns the Gaza Fence protests.
Please note: Opinions expressed in the following articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
Read previous issues of Middle East Notes
Tell Congress to take immediate action to protect Palestinians at the Gaza border.
On January 16 the Trump Administration sent a letter to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announcing its decision to withhold $65 million from its scheduled $125 million contribution to the agency’s humanitarian programs.
Nora Arsenian Carmi, a Palestinian Christian, writes from East Jeruslam.
The following is a reprint of a news release by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on January 30, 2018.
The Faith Forum on the Middle East, of which the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is a member, was scheduled to send the following letter to all Members of Congress on March 6, 2018.
Please note: Opinions expressed in the following articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
Faith Forum for Middle East Policy urged President Trump to restore U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Please note: Opinions expressed in the following articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
Read previous weeks’ Middle East Notes
Marie Dennis, co-president of Pax Christi International, wrote the following remarks after joining 13 Catholic bishops on their annual solidarity visit to Palestine and Israel.
The five featured articles and the related links in this issue of the Middle East Notes focus on President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and especially the response of the Palestinians, the UN, and select nations of the world; the U.S. “peace processing” that has served only to entrench and legitimize Israel’s military occupation and colonization of Palestinian land; the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as a radical break with nearly 70 years of official United States policy and with the international community; the Israeli claim that its control over Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza is temporary, despite lasting longer than South African Apartheid by any measure; and timely links to CMEP and to other articles of interest.
Maryknoll Sister Jean Fallon lived and worked on mission in Japan. “Living and working in a non-Christian milieu is very different from what Missioners might expect, say, in Latin America,” Sister Jean said. “The New Testament, however, brings insights to us all that are ever-new, ever deepening our faith and ever giving life to everyone.”
Fr. Jack Sullivan spent much of his mission life in Hong Kong; he has spent the last few years volunteering for the Global Concerns office on Israel-Palestine issues.