Full Legislative History
Resolution Number: 1997-A107
Title: Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Both Israel and Palestine
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 72nd General Convention recognize Jerusalem as the seat of the Abrahamic peoples, acknowledge the historic presence of Jews, Palestinian Christians and Muslims and affirm:

  1. that Jerusalem should serve as the capital for two sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine;
  2. the government of Israel should remove forthwith all roadblocks and obstacles preventing free access to Jerusalem for Palestinians;
  3. the government of Israel should change its planning policies so that Palestinians have equal rights to build housing in Jerusalem and develop their institutions which have been restricted since 1967;
  4. East Jerusalem, as an integral part of the occupied territories, should be included in all political arrangements relating to those territories, including self-determination, release of prisoners, right of return, and eventual sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention urge the government of the United States to use its diplomatic and economic influence in support of the above and to demonstrate a firm commitment to justice for Palestinians as it does for the security of the State of Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and appropriate members of the Congress of the United States.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 181.