Resolution Number: 2018-D019
Title: On the Topic of Opposing Israeli Occupation of Palestine
Legislative Action Taken: Rejected
Final Text:

Resolution Rejected by Non-concurrence. See Legislative History for original text of resolution.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), p. 314.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Canon Brian Grieves
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Social Justice and International Policy

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #6 on Resolution D019 (Ending Church Complicity in the Occupation) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D019)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention continue its firm support for the right of Israel to exist in secure borders as established and recognized by the United Nations, but also continues its strong opposition to Israel’s occupation in perpetuity of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip which is now recognized by the United Nations as the sovereign state of Palestine; and be it further

Resolved, That in order to end The Episcopal Church’s complicity in the 51 year old occupation, the General Convention direct the Executive Council’s Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility to develop a human rights social criteria investment screen based on the social teachings of this Church and 70 years of Church policy on Israel/Palestine by General Convention and Executive Council as the basis for such a screen in the Israeli occupation of Palestine i.e., the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and to present a recommendation to the Executive Council for action before the end of 2020.

Deputy Bennett of New Jersey moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

To delete "2020" and replace with "2019".

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Sedlacek of Oregon moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, following General Convention, insert "reaffirm the prior action of General Convention, 1991-D122, "Distinguish Between Criticism of Israeli Policy and Anti-Jewish Prejudice"; and be it further" and insert "Resolved, That General Convention" before "continue its firm support".

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Boyce of Massachusetts moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Following the second resolve clause, add: "; and be it further Resolved, That the 79th General Convention urge dioceses and worshipping communities to consider developing similar human rights social criteria investment screens in response to the Israel/Palestine crisis.

An electronic vote was taken on the amendment, resulting in 425 yes votes and 405 no votes.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Sibley of Long Island moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete "in order to end The Episcopal Church's complicity in the 51 year old occupation," as well as "and 70 years of Church policy on Israel/Palestine by General Convention and Executive Council as the basis for such a screen in the Israeli occupation of Palestine i.e., the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip,".

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Bohner of Delaware requested an electronic vote on the main motion.

Prayers

The President called on the Chaplain for prayers.

An electronic vote was taken on Resolution D019, resulting in 619 yes votes and 214 no votes.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #120)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #6 on HD Message #120 on Resolution D019 (Ending Church Complicity in the Occupation) and moved concurrence.

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #182)

Resolution Rejected.

Abstract:   The 79th General Convention rejects a resolution reaffirming earlier statements on the occupation of Palestine and directing investment screens in response to the Israel /Palestine crisis.