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Resolution Number: 1991-A148
Title: On the Topic of the Middle East
Legislative Action Taken: Rejected
Final Text:

Resolution died with adjournment. See Legislative History for original text of resolution.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), pp. 239-240.

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:

(A148)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 1991 General Convention of the Episcopal Church convey to the President of the United States, to the Secretary of State, and to Episcopalians and other appropriate Members of Congress:

  1. Its deep concern for the peaceful, fair, just and timely resolution of the differences between the Palestinians and the people and government of the State of Israel, and also its concern that there be respect and fair and just treatment of both the Palestinians and the Israelis pending the achievement of such resolution;
  2. Its conviction that in communications and negotiations with the Palestinians and the State of Israel, the United States government should use persuasion and appropriate accompanying pressure:

a. To bring about an end to the violations of civil and human rights and the unnecessary brutalities to individuals, families and groups which are now occurring;

b. To restrict the use of military force to measures and practices proportionate to the situation and suited to the legitimate 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. To cause the State of Israel to discontinue the use of administrative detention and collective punishment ("curfew"), except in those instances when it can be demonstrated that such use is essential for the legitimate concerns of national security;

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

e. To cause 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; and

f. To encourage and facilitate open, 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. To support the continuation of the City of Jerusalem as an interreligious municipality in which full respect is accorded the rights and interests of Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commends the initiatives taken by the United States in pursuing peace in the Middle East that have been recently proposed by the Secretary of State, and this General Convention decries the refusal of nations in the region to demonstrate a willingness to meet and negotiate for peace; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention call upon leaders and members of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian traditions to use every means of influence and persuasion to help bring all nations to the peace table immediately, and if finding no peace conference among nations, we call upon the three religious communities to form a shadow peace conference to address the pressing issues, and be if further

Resolved, That this General Convention call upon the United States government to establish a time certain for a regional peace conference, and failing to receive a positive response, to initiate a process of the reduction of military assistance and sales of military equipment to all nations in the Middle East, at the same time seeking the full support of other nations elsewhere in the world in the curtailment of the flow of arms to the Middle East.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #176)

Resolution died with adjournment.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Peace, Reports to the 70th General Convention, 1991, pp. 394-431.
Abstract:   The 70th General Convention rejects the resolution calling for a peace conference in the Middle East.