Resolution Number: 2000-B016
Title: Affirm Refugee Rights of Palestinians and Israelis
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm, in the light of the final status negotiations now underway, the right of Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty based in justice, peace, and security for the two peoples; and be it further

Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm the principle of the right of return for every Palestinian, as well as restitution/compensation for their loss as called for by the United Nations; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention through the Office of Peace and Justice Ministries (especially through the Office of Government Relations) (a) urge the officials and members of the Episcopal Church to pray and work for this position, and (b) communicate this resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the appropriate members of the Congress of the United States, the President of the Palestinian Authority, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 2000 (New York: General Convention, 2001), p. 650.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(B016)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm, in the light of the final status negotiations now underway, the right of Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty based in justice, peace, and security for the two peoples; and be it further

Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm the principle of the right of return for every Palestinian, as well as restitution and compensation for their loss as called for in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 and affirmed in Security Council Resolution 242, grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention through the Office of Peace and Justice Ministries (especially through the office of Government Relations) (a) urge the officials and members of the Episcopal Church to pray and work for this position, and (b) communicate this resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Congress of the United States, Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel, and Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, That the House of Deputies concurring, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm, in the light of the final status negotiations now underway, the right of Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty based in justice, peace, and security for the two peoples; and be it further

Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm the principle of the right of return for every Palestinian, as well as restitution and /compensation for their loss as called for in by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 and affirmed in Security Council Resolution 242, grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention through the Office of Peace and Justice Ministries (especially through the Office of Government Relations) (a) urge the officials and members of the Episcopal Church to pray and work for this position, and (b) communicate this resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the appropriate members of the Congress of the United States, Chairman Yasser Arafat The President of the Palestinian Authority, the Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel, and the Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

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

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #35 on HB Message #193 on Resolution B016 (Refugee Rights) and moved concurrence.

Debate followed on Resolution B016.

The question was called.

A vote was taken to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution B016.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #237)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 14.

Abstract:   The 73rd General Convention affirms the rights of Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination, independence, and sovereignty, and further affirms the right of return and restitution for Palestinians.