The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #15 on Resolution D005 (Solidarity with the Palestinian Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions Movement) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D005)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st convention of the Episcopal Church acknowledge as consistent with established Church policy the demands of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions movement, which are: ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the separation wall; recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church acknowledge boycotts, economic divestment, and sanctions as time-honored means of nonviolent resistance to oppression long respected and upheld by the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church acknowledge and endorse the 2020 Kairos Palestine statement, in which Palestinian Christians expressed firm solidarity with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st Convention of the Episcopal Church recognize the legitimacy of BDS and express its solidarity with it.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st convention General Convention of the The Episcopal Church acknowledge as consistent with established Church policy the demands of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divest Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which are: ending Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the separation wall; recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality (2022-C039, Urge Congress to Oppose Inequality in Israeli Laws); and respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties (2000-B016, Affirm Refugee Rights of Palestinians and Israelis) as stipulated in UN Resolution 194 (adopted December 1948); and be it further

Resolved, That the Church 81st General Convention acknowledge boycotts, economic divestment, and sanctions as time-honored means of nonviolent resistance to oppression long respected and upheld by the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church 81st General Convention acknowledge and endorse commend for further study the 2020 Kairos Palestine statement ("Cry for Hope: A Call to Decisive Action"), in which some leading Palestinian Christians expressed firm solidarity with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognize the legitimacy of BDS and express its solidarity with it the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement in the budgets of Episcopal Church dioceses as a concrete expression of solidarity (2018-B016, Develop Investment Criteria for Israel and Palestine Based on a Human Rights Screen).

Debate ensued.

A vote was taken on Resolution D005.

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #7)