The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #9 on Resolution C018 (Pursue Justice, Peace and Security in the Holy Land) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C018)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church express its concern over renewed violence in the Holy Land and urge Israel and Palestine to engage in talks toward ending Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, and achieving a just and peaceful solution which allows both Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention express its profound love and concern for all the people of the Holy Land, both Israeli and Palestinian, and of all faiths, Christian, Muslim and Jewish, and call on all to refrain from the use of violence, terror and oppression; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention recognize again, as it did at its 70th General Convention, that a distinction exists between the propriety of legitimate criticism of Israeli governmental policy and action and the impropriety of anti-Jewish prejudice; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention urge dioceses, parishes and members to continue to support the efforts of the Diocese of Jerusalem in serving the people of the region and, in particular, given the many casualties and substantial destruction in Gaza in July 15 and August of 2014, fundraising to benefit the Diocese of Jerusalem’s Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Social Responsibility in Investment Committee to present a full and public report to the first meeting of the Executive Committee in 2016 documenting all actions, including corporate dialogues and shareholder resolutions, taken in response to the Executive Committee resolution passed in October of 2005 regarding companies that contribute to the infrastructure of Israel's ongoing occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and companies that have connections to organizations responsible for violence against Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church should contribute to a just and peaceful solution to the continuing crisis in the Holy Land through responsible and informed action; and to do so, that the General Convention call on individual parishes to take immediate steps to increase their understanding of the issues so they can engage actively to this end, especially with respect to considering non-violent approaches and actions to ending the occupation in light of the failure of peace talks and continued expansion of settlements.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church express its solidarity with and support for Christians in Israel and the Occupied Territories; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention affirm the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in healing, education, and pastoral care; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention affirm the work of Christians engaged in relationship building, interfaith dialogue, non-violence training, and advocacy for the rights of Palestinians; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention urge Episcopalians to demonstrate our solidarity by making pilgrimage to Israel and the Occupied Territories and learning from our fellow Christians in the region; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention request the Program, Budget and Finance Committee consider allocating $15,000 during the next triennium for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to produce a video and study guide based on the experiences and learnings of pilgrims to the region and Christians living in the region, to be distributed to the Episcopal Church.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #130)