The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #17 on Resolution D007 (Peace Through Equal Rights in Israel/Palestine) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D007)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention condemn and lament: Israel’s longstanding and unending military occupation and civil control of Palestinians depriving them of equal rights, freedom, and self-determination; the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023; the ensuing military aggression by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza; and the escalating military and settler attacks on Palestinians across the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention understands that the subjugation of one people by another is inherently unjust and unstable. No lasting peace can be achieved nor justice established until Israel’s military occupation and control over Palestinians comes to an end and Palestinians and Israelis have equal rights, freedom, and self-determination; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention reaffirm its commitment to equal rights and self-determination for Palestinians as expressed in existing resolutions 1988-D053, 2018-D018, and 2022-C039; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the US government to use its funding and influence to demand an immediate ceasefire and insist that Israel (1) cease all military operations against Palestinian civilians; and (2) participate with Palestinians in taking concrete steps toward a future based on equal rights, freedom, and self-determination for all people, without which there can be no sustainable peace; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention urge the United States to take responsibility for its role in supporting Israel’s devastating military action in Gaza and work to ensure the free flow of humanitarian relief while maximizing U.S. funding of long-term aid and rebuilding assistance; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Public Policy Network to promote policies to further these goals, and encourage all Episcopalians to join with other Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of all faiths in calling for a ceasefire and a sustainable peace.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention condemn and lament the Hamas-led attack and atrocities against Israel on October 7, 2023, and also the scale and scope of the Israeli government’s ensuing military retaliation in Gaza, resulting in injury and death to many thousands of noncombatants, and to vast destruction of civil society and infrastructure there; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, for the release of all Hamas-held hostages, and of Israeli-held unjustly detained Palestinian prisoners, and for the urgent provision of comprehensive, substantial humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, in particular such vulnerable populations as children, the elderly, and those in need of medical care; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention condemn the increasing seizure of land and the escalating military and Settler violence against Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention reaffirm its call for the building of a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis, with mutually negotiated solutions ending an inherently unjust and unstable military occupation, upholding the principle that no peoples’ right to self-determination should be exercised at the expense of another’s (GC 1988-D053, 2018-D018, 2022-C039), and assuring equal rights, freedom, security, and self-determination for all; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the Office of Government Relations to promote policies to further these goals, and encourage all Episcopalians to join with other Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of all faiths in calling for a ceasefire and a sustainable peace.

Proposed Amendment:

The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman, Diocese of North Carolina moved an amendment to the resolution (FA016) to replace the word "retaliation" with "response" in the first resolve.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton, Diocese of Southeast Florida moved to take up this resolution at a later time certain to allow for a substitute resolution to be filed.

Voice vote was taken and was inconclusive, so an electronic vote was taken.

Motion defeated

A vote was taken on Resolution D007.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #9)