Resolution Number: 1997-A107
Title: Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Both Israel and Palestine
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 72nd General Convention recognize Jerusalem as the seat of the Abrahamic peoples, acknowledge the historic presence of Jews, Palestinian Christians and Muslims and affirm:

  1. that Jerusalem should serve as the capital for two sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine;
  2. the government of Israel should remove forthwith all roadblocks and obstacles preventing free access to Jerusalem for Palestinians;
  3. the government of Israel should change its planning policies so that Palestinians have equal rights to build housing in Jerusalem and develop their institutions which have been restricted since 1967;
  4. East Jerusalem, as an integral part of the occupied territories, should be included in all political arrangements relating to those territories, including self-determination, release of prisoners, right of return, and eventual sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention urge the government of the United States to use its diplomatic and economic influence in support of the above and to demonstrate a firm commitment to justice for Palestinians as it does for the security of the State of Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and appropriate members of the Congress of the United States.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 181.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Peace with Justice
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A107)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention affirm

  1. that Jerusalem should serve as the capital for two sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine;
  2. the government of Israel should remove forthwith all roadblocks and obstacles preventing free access to Jerusalem for Palestinians;
  3. the government of Israel should change its planning policies so that Palestinians have equal rights to build housing in Jerusalem and develop their institutions which have been restricted since 1967;
  4. East Jerusalem, as an integral part of the occupied territories, should be included in all political arrangements relating to these territories, including self-determination, release of prisoners, right of return, and eventual sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to President Clinton and other appropriate parties.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention recognize Jerusalem as the seat of the Abrahamic peoples, acknowledge the historic presence of Jews, Palestinian Christians and Muslims and affirm:

  1. that Jerusalem should serve as the capital for two sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine;
  2. the government of Israel should remove forthwith all roadblocks and obstacles preventing free access to Jerusalem for Palestinians;
  3. the government of Israel should change its planning policies so that Palestinians have equal rights to build housing in Jerusalem and develop their institutions which have been restricted since 1967;
  4. East Jerusalem, as an integral part of the occupied territories, should be included in all political arrangements relating to those territories, including self-determination, release of prisoners, right of return, and eventual sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention urge the government of the United States to use its diplomatic and economic influence in support of the above and to demonstrate a firm commitment to justice for Palestinians as it does for the security of the State of Israel; and be it further

Resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and appropriate members of the Congress of the United States. Debate followed on Resolution A107.

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A107 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops as HD Message #158)

House of Bishops

The Committee on National and International Problems presented its Report #12 on HD Message #158 on Resolution A107a (Jerusalem), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #173)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 22.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Peace with Justice, Reports to the 72nd General Convention, 1997, pp. 355-369.
Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention acknowledges the historic presence of Jews, Palestinian Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem, recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and Palestine and urges US support for justice for Palestinians and security for Israel.