81st General Convention Addresses Palestinian Suffering

The Episcopal Church approved nine Palestinian-related resolutions last month, supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, the provision of US aid, conditioning US military assistance on human rights, and support for a long-term solution based on equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis. Floor debate on the resolutions revealed a deep concern about the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, along with the persistent hesitancy of many to use the words “apartheid” and “genocide.”  While the Episcopal Church has lagged behind some other churches in doing so, the successful resolutions nonetheless indicate support for change and the redress of wrongs as well as an immediate end to the current violence. The 81^st General Convention adopted the following resolutions:

•  Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza
•  Peace Through Equal Rights in Israel/Palestine
•  (submitted from The Dioc. of Olympia with Deputy Tieran Sweeny-Bender)
• Affirmation of the Palestinian State
• Swords into Plowshares: US Accountability and Responsibility in Rebuilding Gaza
• Conditioning Military Assistance to Israel on Human Rights and a Negotiated Peace
• The Immediate Release of Ms. Layan Nasir, 24, from Administrative Detention in Israel
• On Responsible Travel to the Holy Land
• Rejecting Theology and Politics of Christian Zionism
• Clarify Distinction Between Biblical and Modern Israel

The following resolutions failed to obtain a majority of votes in the House of Bishops:

• Recognition of Apartheid in Israel/Palestine
• Solidarity with the Palestinian BDS Movement
• Express Solidarity with Palestinians as an Indigenous People

You can find the text of the resolutions here.  If you would like more information or would like to work with us on next steps, please contact the Bishop’s Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land at : bishopscommittee@gmail.com.