Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church express its support and encouragement to President Bush and his administration to aggressively pursue with all interested parties the Joint Understanding reached at the Annapolis Conference “to end the bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between their peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; [and] to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis;” and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church encourage its bishops, priests, deacons and diocesan and parish educators to pursue an interfaith prayerful dialogue with their Jewish and Muslim sisters and brothers to share concerns and to raise awareness about the issues involved in a negotiated agreement resulting in a comprehensive Arab-Israeli [agreement]. These “final status” issues include the status of Jerusalem, borders, refugees, settlements, water and security; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church urge the government of the United States to honor the commitment it made at the Annapolis Conference to ongoing obligations contained in the Joint Understanding and in United Nations resolutions, to monitor the fulfillment of the commitments made by both sides and to assist in the implementation of the future peace treaty; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church encourage and urge prayers for the success of the negotiators in achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.