The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Stewardship and Socially Responsible Investing presented its Report #18 on Resolution B016 (Adopt ELCA Action on Israel/Palestine) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(B016)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That General Convention join with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and direct our Executive Council’s Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility to develop criteria for Israel and Palestine based on a human rights’ investment screen and the actions of General Convention and Executive Council over the past seventy years; and be it further

Resolved, That General Convention continue to encourage members, parishes, dioceses, and institutions of The Episcopal Church to increase positive investment in Palestine and other under-resourced areas where human rights abuses materially impact the well-being of all people; and be it further

Resolved, That General Convention continue to encourage CCSR to engage in shareholder advocacy in support of human rights in Israel and the Occupied Territories, exercising the right of a shareholder to submit resolutions at a corporation’s annual meeting.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That General Convention join with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s action, CA 16.06.31, “Justice for the Holy Land Through Responsible Investment,” and direct our Executive Council’s Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility to develop criteria for Israel and Palestine based on a human rights’ investment screen and the actions of General Convention and Executive Council over the past seventy years; and be it further

Resolved, That General Convention continue to encourage members, parishescongregations, dioceses, and institutions of The Episcopal Church to increase positive investment in Palestine and other under-resourced areas where human rights abuses materially impact the well-being of all people; and be it further

Resolved, That General Convention continue to encourage CCSR to engage in shareholder advocacy in support of human rights in Israel and the Occupied Territories, exercising the right of a shareholder to submit resolutions at a corporation’s annual meeting.

Deputy Randle of Virginia moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Following the first resolve clause, add "Resolved, That prior to any final vote by Executive Council to place any party on any divestment or no-buy list, Executive Council shall give to any such entity at least 45 days written notice of the proposed action. That notice shall state the proposed action, and contain a summary of the factual basis to believe that such entity is profiting from the uncompensated expropriation of Palestinian lands, or has committed or assisted in human rights violations in the prior three years, or that its products or services are being used to commit or assist in such violations, or have been so used in the preceding three years. Executive Council shall provide a reasonable opportunity for the party so notified to respond in writing to Executive Council with contrary or mitigating factual information. The written response shall be due two weeks before the Executive Council meeting at which such vote is scheduled to occur; and be it further".

Deputy Thomason of Olympia moved to end debate on the amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on Resolution B016.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #297)