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CMEP's
advocacy conference
concluded last week with over 75
meetings in Capitol Hill offices and an urgent message for
diligent follow-up on the Annapolis process toward the goal of a
two-state Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Calming the
Storm: Middle East Peacemaking in a Turbulent Time
brought together a strong and growing core of CMEP's
constituency, ready for advocacy.
In the midst of our conference preparations, we mailed the
following funding appeal, including
a review of CMEP's 2007 advocacy work. I hope this note
reminds you to send a contribution by mail or through
secure, online
credit card donation.
Please help us work for peace in the Holy Land.
If you only receive CMEP's Email Network messages, either
directly or from a friend, I hope you will become a CMEP
supporter.
Thank you,
Warren Clark
Executive Director
Spring 2008
Dear Friends,
The urgent search for peace between Israel and Palestinians
has entered an important new phase.
After seven years of violence,
division and mistrust following the breakdown of the Camp David
negotiations in 2000, the peace process finally was re-launched
last November at a conference in Annapolis, Maryland. The
President has said he expects a peace agreement between Israel
and the Palestinians before the end of his term next January.
The skepticism that greeted this
announcement has seemed confirmed by events. Tensions remain
high. There has been the continuing blockade of Gaza, rocket
attacks, killings, retaliation, incursion, and more than 100
dead. Deep political divisions among Palestinians remain.
Churches for Middle East Peace,
representing 22 national Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox
churches and church organizations, has worked hard with the
Administration and the U.S. Congress to uphold the urgent need
for the peace. Violence
must not be allowed to derail the peace process. The United
States can - and must - provide active leadership in helping to
bring about a durable ceasefire, improve security, cool
passions, and alleviate suffering.
As you know, Corinne Whitlatch
recently retired as Executive Director of CMEP. I am grateful
for the excellent organization she has built and for her wisdom
and advice in these past few months.
She told me in particular of the
vibrant role played by you and your generous support for CMEP
and for our work for peace.
I hope I can continue to count
on you, for your ideas and your passionate advocacy. And, today,
please help with a generous financial donation.
Your help is vital
and we have much work to do!
We must ensure that the
progress toward peace continues in 2008.
History suggests there will be
significant forces that do NOT want peace. We can expect
repeated attempts to create obstacles through acts of violence
or other means as the peace process unfolds this year.
CMEP is working to keep the
peace process moving forward, despite attempts to stop it.
CMEP has moved forcefully in
Washington to advocate, inform, and mobilize opinion on both
sides of Capitol Hill and in the Administration to support and
keep open pathways to peace.
-
CMEP drew on its extensive Capitol
Hill contacts to organize more than 150 advocacy meetings with
Senators, Representatives, and their staff in 2007. Our
2007 advocacy highlights reflect CMEP's work on Capitol
Hill, with the Administration and in the field.
-
CMEP has been
in touch with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
twice in recent weeks on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and on
the eve of her trip to the Middle East, urging her to help in
arranging a cease-fire.
-
CMEP co-sponsors well-attended briefings by policy experts for
congressional offices to keep them apprised of the challenges
and opportunities for peace
-
CMEP has been raising awareness in the Administration and on the
Hill to the rapid and troubling emigration of
Palestinian
Christians out of the Holy Land
-
And, we have organized
teleconferences in which experts from
around the globe discuss aspects of the conflict and answer
questions from CMEP listeners.
All these activities depend on your support. None of
this can happen without you.
In the midst of conflict, we are now entering a crucial time for
peace. Peace talks are underway. Yes, there is skepticism.
Violence threatens. Yet we must give peace a chance. There are
strong peace advocates on all sides.
We must ensure that CMEP's advocacy work for peace continues and
expands as a strong, effective, and nonpartisan voice for a
meaningful and lasting peace.
I am pleased and honored to be part of Churches for Middle East
Peace as we work together to help create a real opportunity for
reconciliation and a lasting peace. It is a tribute to the
importance of this endeavor that you are willing to stand with
us.
Your financial support is urgently needed at this crucial
time.
Your gift today can make a difference.
Thank you for your continued commitment, support, and prayers.
Sincerely,
Warren Clark
Churches for Middle East Peace
Office of the Chair
Dear CMEP Supporter,
We are delighted that Warren Clark became CMEP's new Executive
Director January 1st.
Warren is a former Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State who began his Foreign Service career in Syria. He brings
both passion for the issues and a wealth of Middle East and
diplomatic experience to CMEP.
With the peace process bogged down and a new Administration and
Congress on the horizon, your continued financial support is
critical to CMEP and its important work.
We are forging new and important alliances with Jewish and Arab
colleagues, and we are continuing to develop strong
relationships with Members of Congress and their senior staff.
We hope we can count on your continued generous support at this
crucial time for peace in the Middle East.
Sincerely,
Maureen Shea, Chair
Churches for Middle East Peace
Churches for
Middle East Peace
REPLY
MEMORANDUM
Contributions can be made by check (enclose the form below) or via
credit card.
I want to help Churches for Middle East Peace work for a
lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. I support
CMEP's advocacy efforts with my contribution of
____
$500 ____ $250 ____ $100 ____ $50 ____
$35 ____ Other
Name
______________________________________________________________________________
Address
____________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________ State
_________________ Zip _____________
Telephone: _____________________________________________________________________
Email:
_________________________________________________________________________
By Check:
send the above
form to Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), 110 Maryland Ave.
NE, #311 Washington, DC 20002
By Credit card:
Click here for
Secure, online credit card donation
OR
please fill out and send in the information below:
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_______________________________________________________
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appears on the card (please print)
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(required)
CMEP gratefully accepts gifts of stock.
For information please contact Anna Rhee at 202-543-1222 or
anna@cmep.org. Your donation is eligible for a charitable giving
tax deduction. Check with your financial advisor about maximizing
your stock gift to CMEP.
Your contribution to CMEP, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization,
is tax deductible. |
