Resolution Number: 1991-A147
Title: Support a Two-state Solution for Israel and the Palestinian People
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church supports the existence of Israel as a sovereign state, the democratic and humanitarian inspired homeland for displaced Jewish people, and calls upon the Government of the United States:

  1. To assist in the creation of a Palestinian State, and,
  2. To assist Israel to secure the human rights of indigenous Arabs within Israel through:

a. ending the violation of civil and human rights and by stopping the brutalities committed against individual, families, and groups which now occur;

b. restricting the use of military force to measures and practices proportionate to the situation and suited to the control of civilian populations, and, to that end, to assure that military personnel and units, before assignment to duty, be given proper training in riot control and the techniques and practices of control of civilian populations;

c. causing the State of Israel to discontinue the use of administrative detention and collective punishment;

d. the permanent reopening of schools, universities, and other educational institutions for the Palestinians in the occupied territories;

e. causing the State of Israel to be even handed and fair in the recognition and enforcement of the rights and interests of the Palestinians with respect to their personal safety, property rights, water rights, and rights of access to commercial markets; and

f. encouraging the opening of candid and patient communication between the representatives of the Palestinians and the State of Israel and between the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples; and

g. reestablishing and safe-guarding the City of Jerusalem as inter-religious municipality in which full respect is accorded the rights and interests of Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 794.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Peace
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A147)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 1991 General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm:

  1. 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 who live within its borders, and
  2. The rights of the Palestinians to self-determination, including choice of their own representatives and the establishment of their own state.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church supports the existence of Israel as a sovereign state, the democratic and humanitarian inspired homeland for displaced Jewish people, and calls upon the government of the United States:

  1. To assist in the creation of a Palestinian State, and,
  2. To assist Israel to secure the human rights of indigenous Arabs within Israel through

a. ending the violations of civil and human rights and by stopping the brutalities committed against individuals, families, and groups which now occur;

b. restricting the use of military force to measures and practices proportionate to the situation and suited to the control of civilian populations, and, to that end, to assure that military personnel and units, before assignment to duty, be given proper training in riot control and the techniques and practices of control of civilian populations;

c. causing the State of Israel to discontinue the use of administrative detention and collective punishment;

d. the permanent reopening of schools, universities, and other educational institutions for the Palestinians in the occupied territories;

e. causing the State of Israel to be evenhanded and fair in the recognition and enforcement of the rights and interests of the Palestinians with respect to their personal safety, property rights, water rights, and rights of access to commercial markets;

f. encouraging the opening of candid and patient communication between the representatives of the Palestinians and the State of Israel and between the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples; and

g. reestablishing and safeguarding the City of Jerusalem as an interreligious municipality in which full respect is accorded the rights and interests of Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #175)

House of Deputies

The Committee on National and International Problems presented its Report #47 on House of Bishops Message #175 relating to Resolution A147s (In Support of a Two-State Solution) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #330)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 20.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Peace, Reports to the 70th General Convention, 1991, pp. 394-431.
Abstract:   The 70th General Convention supports the existence of Israel as a sovereign state. It calls upon the U.S. government to assist in the creation of a Palestinian State and to assist Israel in securing the human rights of indigenous Arabs within Israel.