Resolution Number: 1982-B047
Title: Call for Peace in the Middle East
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 67th General Convention

  1. Affirms the Camp David Accords as the appropriate vehicle for pursuing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
  2. Commends and supports President Reagan for his initiatives to achieve peace in the area, and urges his continuing efforts in this vital task;
  3. Calls upon all parties to the conflict in the Middle East to lay down their arms, and to settle their disputes by direct negotiations and mutual recognition;
  4. Supports the right of Palestinian people to exercise responsibility for their political future, with the proviso that the Palestinians recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, New Orleans, 1982 (New York: General Convention, 1983), p. C-129.

Legislative History

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

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(B047) Not Currently Available

On the sixth day, the Bishop of Ohio, Chairman of the Committee on National and International Affairs, moved to adopt B-47A.

Seconded by the Bishop of South Dakota.

The Bishop of Indianapolis moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Change the last Resolve clause to read:

Supports the right of Palestinian people to exercise responsibility for their political future, with the proviso that the Palestinians recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel.

Seconded by Bishop Brady.

Amendment failed

Bishop Brady moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Eliminate the word "some" from paragraph 4.

Seconded by Bishop Rose.

Motion carried

The Bishop of Texas moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Substitute the word "state" for the word "homeland" in paragraph 4.

Seconded by the Bishop of Oklahoma.

Motion failed

The Bishop of Rochester moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Substitute the word "territory" for the word "homeland" in paragraph 4.

Seconded by Bishop Welles.

Motion failed

The motion to adopt B-47A carried.

Motion carried

(Communicated to House of Deputies in HB Message #118)

House of Deputies

House of Deputies

On the ninth day, the Chairman of the Committee on National and International Affairs [sic] presented Report #28 and recommended that the House concur with Message #118 of the House of Bishops on Resolution B-47A (Middle East).

Deputy Morrison of Eastern Oregon moved a substitute resolution.

Proposed Substitute:

Delete the first two subparagraphs and delete the word "homeland," inserting therefor "independent state."

Motion lost

Substitute defeated

The main motion was put.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #185)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 13.

Abstract:   The 67th General Convention affirms the Camp David Accords; supports President Reagan for his peace initiatives; calls for settling disputes in the Middle East by negotiations and mutual recognition; and supports autonomy for the Palestinian people.
Notes:  

As recorded in the Journal, the Legislative History for 1982-B047 is incongruent with the final text of the resolution.