The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #14 on Resolution D004 (Express Solidarity with Palestinians as an Indigenous People) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D004)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention reaffirm its solidarity with and concern for the well-being of “the Indigenous Peoples of the world,” in accordance with Resolution 2012-A131: Express Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention, in affirming this solidarity recognize that Palestinian Arabs, including our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers, are among the indigenous people of the lands of Palestine and Israel lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention and The Episcopal Church direct the Office of Government Relations to apply the demands of Resolution 2012-A131 to Palestinian Arabs who experience displacement, discrimination, dispossession, and daily harassment at the hands of the state of Israel. Applying the demands entails supporting their right to “retain their traditional lands and territories,” giving “high priority” to protection of the rights of Palestinian Arabs, and urging the U.S. government, in its dealings with the government of Israel, to “identify” and correct Israeli laws and policies that treat Palestinians unfairly or with “invidious discrimination.”

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention reaffirm its solidarity with and concern for the well-being of “the Indigenous Peoples of the world,” in accordance with Resolution 2012-A131: Express Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention, in affirming this solidarity recognize that Palestinian Arabs, including our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers, are among the indigenous people of the lands of Palestine and Israel lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention and The Episcopal Church direct the Office of Government Relations to apply urge the U.S. Government to use all its leverage to advocate for a change in policies, particularly applying the demands of Resolution 2012-A131 to Palestinian Arabs who experience displacement, discrimination, dispossession, and daily harassment at the hands of the state of Israel. Applying the those demands entails supporting their right to “retain their traditional lands and territories,” giving “high priority” to the protection of the human and civil rights of Palestinian Arabs., and urging the U.S. government, in its dealings with the government of Israel, to “identify” and correct Israeli laws and policies that treat Palestinians unfairly or with “invidious discrimination.”

Debate ensued.

A vote was taken on Resolution D004.

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #6)