[Washington, DC- December 12, 2007] Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a coalition of 22 Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant national church bodies, today sent a letter to President Bush expressing appreciation for his leadership and that of Secretary of State Rice in convening the international conference in Annapolis last month that re-launched Israeli- Palestinian negotiations. "The November conference in Annapolis has given us renewed hope for a time when Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace in two sovereign and secure states" said the CMEP Board members.

This letter comes during the season of Advent, a time of hope-filled expectation for Christians worldwide. The church coalition explained that their hope for the future is based on the expectation that the President's "commitments to a strong and continuing US engagement will be fulfilled." The letter cites the importance of the United States working together with the Quartet and the Arab League States, and particularly in inviting both Saudi Arabia and Syria to Annapolis, asking that the President "encourage peacemaking between Israel and Syria as well". The Board members were heartened by the decision to "proceed simultaneously on both the Road Map requirements on the ground and negotiations on final status issues."

Commenting on the letter, the Chair of CMEP's Board, Maureen Shea, said, "This is a time of real hope and opportunity and with the season of Advent upon us, we are especially mindful of the need for peace in the Holy Land. We commend the President for convening the Annapolis conference and lend him our prayers and support. To make Israeli-Palestinian peace a reality in 2008, the United States must exert strong leadership and diplomacy."

Noting their connection to churches and Christians in the Holy Land, the church coalition encouraged President Bush to "visit Bethlehem and meet with the Christians there" on his January trip to the region. Churches for Middle East Peace has been actively mobilizing church members and clergy nationwide in prayer and advocacy in support of the Annapolis conference. The letter cites CMEP's cooperative work with Jewish and Arab-American organizations in pursuit of peacemaking and pledges continued work on Capitol Hill and across the country, "encouraging implementation of the plans agreed to in Annapolis and the sustained diplomatic engagement that will be necessary to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel by the end of next year."

The letter concludes, "We pray that in this season of Advent, all will find the will and the way to see the vision of peace in the Holy Land realized." The text of the letter, with the complete list of signers, is included below and available on CMEP's website.

For Christians, the season of Advent is a time of hope- filled expectation. The November conference in Annapolis has given us renewed hope for a time when Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace and security as two sovereign and viable states.

We are grateful for your leadership and that of Secretary Rice in bringing together many of the key regional players at Annapolis. Our hope for the future is based on the expectation that your Administration's commitments to a strong and continuing US engagement will be fulfilled. That engagement requires not only effective US diplomacy but also the active involvement of the Quartet and the Arab League states. We believe it was important that both Saudi Arabia and Syria were invited to attend Annapolis and ask that you encourage peacemaking between Israel and Syria as well. We are heartened by the decision to proceed simultaneously on both the Road Map requirements on the ground and negotiations on final status issues, such as Jerusalem, borders, refugees, settlements, water and security. We welcome your commitment to support the work of President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert with the resources and resolve of the American government.

Churches for Middle East Peace represents 22 Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant institutions that together work to support US government policies that advance the cause of peace. In doing so, we are ever mindful of our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land - churches and Christians with whom many of CMEP's members have long-standing partnerships. In part through these relationships, we are acutely aware of the difficulties faced by Palestinian Christians, as well as Muslims, in the West Bank and Gaza. We hope that on your upcoming trip, you will visit Bethlehem and meet with the Christians there.

We join with Jewish and Arab-American organizations in building public and Congressional support for a negotiated agreement that ends Israel's occupation, establishes Palestinian independence and results in a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace that brings Israel security and recognition. On Capitol Hill and across the country, we are encouraging implementation of the plans agreed to in Annapolis and the sustained diplomatic engagement that will be necessary to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel by the end of next year.

We pray that in this season of Advent, all will find the will and the way to see the vision of peace in the Holy Land realized.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
Armenian Orthodox Church

Bishop Wayne Burkette
Moravian Church in America

James Fine
Legislative Secretary for Foreign Policy
Friends Committee on National Legislation

Dennis W. Frado
Director
Lutheran Office for World Community
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sr. Donna Graham, OSF
President
Franciscan Friars (OFM)
English Speaking Conference, JPIC Council

Mark Harrison
United Methodist General Board of Church and Society

Rev. Dr. Stan Hastey
Minister for Mission & Ecumenism
Alliance of Baptists, Washington, D.C.

Phil Jones
Director
Brethren Witness/Washington Office
Church of the Brethren

Rob Keithan
Director, Washington Office for Advocacy
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos
Associate General Secretary for International Affairs and Peace
National Council of Churches USA
and
Representative
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Rev. James Kofski
Maryknoll Global Concerns

Sara Lisherness
Director, Peace and Justice Ministries
Presbyterian Church, (USA)

Peter Makari
Executive, Middle East and Europe
Global Ministries (UCC & Disciples)

Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director and CEO
Church World Service

Michael McNulty, SJ
Justice and Peace Director
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

The Very Rev. George Rados
Representative
Antiochian Christian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

Maureen Shea
Director of Government Relations
The Episcopal Church