Election Shocker, Prisoners Continue Hunger Strike

In a sudden about-face, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had formed a new coalition and that previously rumored elections for September would not occur. Plus, hunger strikers continue their protest of detention without charge and prision conditions. All in this week's bulletin.

Settlements Receive Final Approval and Condemnation, Debate Over '60 Minutes' Segment Rages On

Outposts of Sansana, Bruchin (at left), and Rehalim received final approval to be legalized despite criticism from the Palestinians, U.S., and UN among others. This plus more on the ongoing debate over the 60 Minutes segment on Palestinian Christians in last week's bulletin.

'60 Minutes' Airs Segment on Palestinian Christians; Receives Complaints and Praise

Just after Easter, the CBS program 60 Minutes aired a segment exploring the story of Palestinian Christians (click here to view transcript). This week CBS has received both numerous complaints and praise. Click here to view the segment online and send a thank you message to CBS.

Interview with Patriarch Twal and Bishop Younan

Recently, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem H.B. Fouad Twal and Rt. Rev. Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land sat down with CMEP Executive Director Warren Clark to talk about their trip with CRIHL and the Palestinian Christian community. Click here to watch the interview on CMEP TV.

Conference Plenaries and Workshops Announced

The morning conference plenary session is Iran and Middle East Peace with Trita Parsi, an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian foreign policy and the geopolitics of the Middle East, and the afternoon pleanary will be a roundtable discussion on Perspectives for Peace with, among others, Daniel Kurtzer, a former United States Ambassador to Israel (2001-2005) and United States Ambassador to Egypt (1997-2001).

Morning and afternoon workshops will include:

Jerusalem Update
Water in a Dry Land
Middle East Peace and U.S. Federal Elections
Palestinian Christian and Muslim Relations in the West Bank and Gaza
Minors Under Occupation
Raising U.S. Christian Voices: Local Organizing
Current American Jewish Work for Peace
How U.S. National Christian Churches and Organizations Differ and Work Together for Peace

Speakers will be added as they are confirmed. For more information visit the conference webpage.

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Thanks to everyone who sent a message of thanks and encouragement to
Secretary Clinton for her work to send approved US aid to Palestinians.

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