Resolution Number: 1994-A103
Title: Affirm 1993 Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 1994 General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

  1. affirms and supports the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles signed in September 1993;
  2. urges all parties concerned to do all in their power to support the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, and the elected Council, authorized by the above-mentioned Declaration, and all the other agreed upon principles and undertakings; and
  3. expresses its conviction that a durable, fair and timely resolution of the peace process between the government of Israel and the Palestinian [sic] Liberation Organization requires that the United States adhere to a single standard of justice in its diplomatic efforts to support the peace process and in granting aid to both Israel and Palestine; and
  4. recognizes that such a standard requires the United States to condition aid to the newly autonomous Palestinian Authority on its abandonment of violence as a tactic of struggle and that the Palestinian police make every effort within their power to apprehend violators; and
  5. recognizes that such a standard requires the United States to condition aid and loan guarantees to Israel on its abandonment of violence as a tactic of civilian control and on the release of all Palestinian political prisoners and detainees;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the 71st General Convention be requested to send a copy of this Resolution to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Chairman Yasser Arafat, the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, Episcopalian and other appropriate Members of Congress, and to the Most Reverend Samir Kafity.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), pp. 283-84.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Peace with Justice
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A103)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 1994 General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

  1. Affirms and supports the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles signed in September 1993;
  2. Urges all parties concerned to do all in their power to implement the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, and the elected Council, authorized by the above-mentioned Declaration, and all the other agreed upon principles and undertakings;
  3. Urges the United States government to continue to promote the peace process and work with other nations to assure the necessary initial funding, as well as long-term regional economic development; and be it further

Resolved, That the secretary of the 1994 General Convention be requested to send a copy of this resolution to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Chairman Yasser Arafat, the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Episcopalian and other appropriate Member of Congress, and to the Most Reverend Samir Kafity.

Proposed

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 1994 General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

  1. affirms and supports the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles signed in September 1993;
  2. urges all parties concerned to do all in their power to implement support the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, and the elected Council, authorized by the above-mentioned Declaration, and all the other agreed upon principles and undertakings; and

3. Urges the United States government to continue to promote the peace process and work with other nations to assure the necessary initial funding, as well as long-term regional economic development; and be it further

3. expresses its conviction that a durable, fair and timely resolution of the peace process between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization requires that the United States adhere to a single standard of justice in its diplomatic efforts to support the peace process and in granting aid to both Israel and Palestine; and

4. recognizes that such a standard requires the United States to condition aid to the newly autonomous Palestinian Authority on its abandonment of violence as a tactic of struggle and that the Palestinian police make every effort within their power to apprehend violators; and

5. recognizes that such a standard requires the United States to condition aid and loan guarantees to Israel on its abandonment of violence as a tactic of civilian control and on the release of all Palestinian political prisoners and detainees; and be it further

Resolved, That the secretary of the 1994 General Convention Secretary of the 71st General Convention be requested to send a copy of this Resolution to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Chairman Yasser Arafat, the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Episcopalian and other appropriate Member s of Congress, and to the Most Reverend Samir Kafity.

Debate followed.

The question was called to terminate debate on A103.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on A103, as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #148)

House of Bishops

The Committee on National and International Problems presented its Report #20 on House of Deputies Message #148 on Resolution A103a (Affirmation of the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles of September 1993) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #193)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 1.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Peace with Justice, Reports to the 71st General Convention, 1994, pp. 431-448.
Abstract:   The 71st General Convention affirms the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles signed in 1993. It urges the U.S. government to use a single standard of justice in its diplomatic efforts and to condition foreign aid on the renunciation of violence.