Resolution Number: 1988-D053
Title: Affirm Goals of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis and Palestinians
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 69th General Convention:

a) affirm the importance of the Church in the exercise of its prophetic role by standing on the side of the oppressed in their struggle for justice, and by promoting justice, peace and reconciliation for all peoples in the region;

b) affirm the existence of the State of Israel and its right to recognized and secure borders, as well as the civic and human rights of all those who live within its borders;

c) affirm the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, including choice of their own representatives and the establishment of their own state;

d) support the convening of an international conference over Palestine/Israel under the auspices of the UN and based on all the UN resolutions in relation to this conflict, to which all parties of the conflict be invited; and

e) commit itself to continued prayer for Israelis and Palestinians, for Muslim, Jew and Christian, for the achievement of justice, peace and reconciliation for all.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Detroit, 1988 (New York: General Convention, 1989), p. 293.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D053)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 69th General Convention adopt as its own "Resolution 25, Palestine/Israel," adopted by the Anglican Consultative Council at its April 1987 meeting in Singapore, which reads:

"That this Council

a) affirms the importance of the Church in the exercise of its prophetic role by standing on the side of the oppressed in their struggle for justice, and by promoting justice, peace and reconciliation for all peoples in the region;

b) affirms the existence of the State of Israel and its right to recognized and secure borders, as well as the civic and human rights of all those who live within its borders;

c) rejects the interpretation of Holy Scripture which affirms the special place of the present State of Israel in the light of biblical prophecy, finds it detrimental to peace and justice, and damaging to Jews, Christians and Muslims;

d) calls attention to the injustice done to the Palestinians in consequence of the creation of the State of Israel, and therefore affirms the right of the Palestinians to determination, including consideration of the possibility of establishment of their own state;

e) supports the convening of an international conference over Palestine/Israel under the auspices of the UN and based on all the UN resolutions in relation to this conflict, to which all parties of the conflict be invited including the PLO;

f) commits itself to continue prayer for Israelis and Palestinians, for Muslim, Jew and Christian, for the achievement of justice, peace and reconciliation for all."

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 69th General Convention:

a) affirm the importance of the Church in the exercise of its prophetic role by standing on the side of the oppressed in their struggle for justice, and by promoting justice, peace and reconciliation for all peoples in the region;

b) affirm the existence of the State of Israel and its right to recognized and secure borders, as well as the civic and human rights of all those who live within its borders;

c) reject the use of the Holy Scripture for partisan politics;

d) call attention to the injustice done to the Palestinians in consequence of the creation of the State of Israel, and therefore affirm the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, including choice of their own representatives and the establishment of their own state;

e) support the convening of an international conference over Palestine/Israel under the auspices of the UN and based on all the UN resolutions in relation to this conflict, to which all parties of the conflict be invited;

f) commit itself to continued prayer for Israelis and Palestinians, for Muslim, Jew and Christian, for the achievement of justice, peace and reconciliation for all.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Delete subparagraph (c), renumbering the subsequent subparagraphs.

In new subparagraph (c) delete everything up to the word "affirm."

Deputy Fontaine of Wyoming moved an amendment to the Substitute for D053.

Proposed Amendment:

Restore subsection (c) and add the words "especially as it pertains to possession of land by any particular group involved in the present day conflict."

Debate followed on the Fontaine amendment.

A vote was taken on the Fontaine amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Committee Substitute for D053.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #273)

House of Bishops

The Committee on National and International Affairs [sic] presented its Report #32 on House of Deputies Message #273 on Resolution D053s (Anglican Consultative Council Statement on Israel and Palestine) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #345)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.

Abstract:   The 69th General Convention affirms the right of the State of Israel to secure borders and the right of Palestinians to establish their own state. It commits itself to continued prayer for peace.