Title: Support for a Just and Lasting Peace Between Israel and Palestine
ID: EXC062011.06
Committee: Advocacy and Networking (report 34)
Citation: Executive Council Minutes, Jun. 17, 2011, Linthicum Heights, MD, pp. 7-8.
Text:

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, from June 16-17, 2011, expresses profound concern at the impasse between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the process toward final-status negotiations for a two-state solution to end decades of conflict; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council reaffirms this Church’s support for a two-state solution in which a secure and universally recognized State of Israel lives alongside a secure, independent and viable Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states; and reiterates the belief that bilateral negotiation between the two parties on all final-status issues are necessary for the realization of such a solution; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council expresses this Church’s unequivocal opposition to any action by either party that undermines progress toward negotiations, including ongoing violence and the continued building of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council recognizes that Palestinian efforts for recognition of statehood by the United Nations are a response to the stalled nature of the negotiations process, and urges all parties to respond with renewed urgency toward direct final-status negotiations aimed at creating two secure, independent, and viable states; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council reaffirms this Church’s view that Palestinian statehood is a legitimate political aspiration that has been affirmed by the United Nations and most world governments, including those of the State of Israel and the United States of America; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council affirms that Palestinian political unity is necessary for forming a government capable of representing the West Bank and Gaza Strip together, but notes that the inclusion of Hamas in any governing entity as suggested by the reconciliation agreement announced by Palestinian leaders in April, must be accompanied by concrete reaffirmations by the Palestinian Authority of its unequivocal renunciation of all forms of violence and its recognition of the State of Israel and its right to exist; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council urges all Episcopalians to pray for the peace of the Holy Land and advocate to their own governments for maximum international support for a negotiated two-state solution for a just and lasting peace.

Supplementary Text: