During the Christmas Advent Season over 200 bishops and Christian leaders from more than 40 countries around the world unite to call for an end to all violence and arms sales to Israel. These Christian leaders assert that war is not the answer and that all weaponization and violence must cease, in order for diplomatic alternatives and nonviolent means of advocating for peace to flourish. 

Read the letter and list of signatories here. 

CMEP’s cover letter to President Biden is below. 

December 16, 2024

Dear President Biden: 

The Advent Season should be a time of peace, not of war. For over 400 days, Palestinians in Gaza have endured nearly daily bombardments, multiple displacements, and the denial of adequate food, water, shelter, and medical supplies. In the West Bank, Palestinians have faced increased violence at the hands of extremist Israeli settlers and incursions by the Israeli military. In Lebanon, thousands have been killed and millions displaced. We write to you as a coalition of 35 diverse church communions and Christian leaders to implore you to use the remainder of your time in office to take decisive steps to end the violence and reach a permanent comprehensive ceasefire in the Middle East. 

The United States Government must immediately suspend arms sales to Israel. This suspension of arms would enforce current US law and demand consistency with international legal agreements and conventions. By continuing to supply Israel with weapons, the United States is not merely supporting the ongoing violence, but actively participating in Israel’s military campaign. Another way forward is possible. Before your administration concludes its term, we urge you to use the leverage of halting arms sales to Israel in order to reach a lasting end to the violence and untold suffering. The United States Government cannot play a constructive role in helping bring about a durable ceasefire as long as we continue to supply the very weapons used to kill civilians and destroy houses, schools, places of worship, hospitals, and cultural institutions. 

The enclosed letter, signed by over 200 global bishops and executive leaders, comes at one of our most sacred times of the year when Christians from around the globe prepare to welcome the arrival of the Prince of Peace. We pray that as you enter your final months in office you will expend all of your resources and diplomatic power to pursue a pathway to peace to bring this war to an immediate end. 

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon
Executive Director on behalf of the CMEP Board