2015 Action in Dioceses on Palestine Israel: Los Angeles

The resolution posted here was passed by the Diocese of Los Angeles at its convention in early December 2015. EPF PIN member Randy Heyn-Lamb comments, “Although it doesn't use the words ‘Boycott’ or ‘Divestment’ or ‘Sanctions’ it urges members to refrain from purchasing settlement products, investing in companies doing business in the settlements and urges our government to cut off funding to Israel until settlement construction ceases."

The EPF PIN LA Strategic Planning Committee developed the resolution from a first draft prepared by the Rev’d John Forney. Father Steve Huber and Father John Conrad both spoke for it, as did a young man who had been on the Diocesan youth pilgrimage a couple years ago.
Resolution regarding Israeli Settlements

Resolved, that the One Hundred Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles go on record vigorously oppose any further expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem; and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Los Angeles urges our government to cut off further funding to Israel until all settlement construction ceases; and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Los Angeles urges its members to refrain from purchasing products produced in such illegal settlements or investing in companies doing business in these settlements; and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Los Angeles urges both parties to return to the negotiating table and resume talks on all outstanding issues, including, but not limited to, establishment of borders, the end of the occupation, allocation of natural resources, the “right of return,” and the status of Jerusalem, that in time there may be true reconciliation and cooperation to the mutual benefit of both Palestinians and Israelis; and be it
Resolved, that the Diocese of Los Angeles urges the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church to pursue these resolves on a national level until the time of the 79th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Archbishop of Jerusalem, the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and all Members of Congress who represent the areas encompassed by this Diocese.

Submitted by:
The Reverend John Forney
Assisting (Retired), All Saints, Pasadena

Explanation:
The Episcopal Church has previously recognized that “Israeli settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law” and named them “an obstacle to peace.”

The Episcopal Church is on record requesting that the President and Congress “take appropriate steps to ensure that no assistance provided the State of Israel shall be used…for new settlements to be located in the occupied areas of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Further relocations and new settlements result in the immediate curtailment of aid from the United States.”

The continued construction and expansion of settlements is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 446 and the 4th Geneva Convention. Such settlements constitute a theft of land from a future Palestinian state and such settlements are the source of great enmity between Palestinians and Israelis and a continuing obstruction to any reconciliation and lasting peace between the two groups. A just foreign policy mandates that the United States should do all in its power to discourage the continued construction of illegal settlements.