A Resolution Concerning Peace with Justice in Israel-Palestine
Submitted by the Public Policy Committee of the Diocese of Rochester
Resolved, That the 78th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester request that the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church craft a resolution calling on the President and Congress to advocate that Israel end the two-year blockade of the Gaza Strip so humanitarian and reconstruction assistance can enter freely and permit trade so their economy can function normally; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention ask the Executive Council to include in their resolution a commendation for President Barack Obama’s Administration’s recent robust efforts to negotiate peace with justice between Israel and Palestine; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of Convention forward this Convention’s resolution to the Executive Council for their earliest possible consideration.
Explanation
At General Convention in July, 2009, the House of Bishops narrowly failed to concur with the House of Deputies to pass BO27, “Peace Between Israel and Palestine.” In addition to reaffirming several earlier resolutions calling for justice for the Palestinians and an end to violence committed by both sides, BO27 incorporated two new points reflective of the current situation:
- A call for Israel to end its two-year blockade of Gaza, and
- A commendation of President Barrack Obama and his Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, for their recent robust Israeli-Palestine peace initiatives.
(See the full text of BO27 at http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation .)
Facts on the ground warrant an immediate alleviation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 80% of the 1.5 million people are now dependent upon food assistance since the Israeli military offensive there last winter. An end to the blockade would permit the entrance of more aid than is currently getting through. Moreover, on-going Israeli house demolitions and settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to rob Palestinians of their homes and livelihoods in contradiction to international law. In his speech in Cairo last June, President Obama called for a freeze on further settlements in the West Bank along with asking for a cessation of violence by both sides as necessary steps for successful peace negotiations. Such fairness indicates a more balanced approach to the conflict between these two peoples than that of the previous administration. This more even-handed diplomacy is worthy of our Church’s acknowledgement and support. Furthermore, these two new points for our Church’s endorsement are ones put forth by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which the Episcopal Church is a member. In a letter following President Obama’s speech in Cairo, CMEP commended him for his balanced message and urged the United States to stay vigilant regarding the settlement activity as well as encourage immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
