D012 (Conditioning U.S. Military Assistance to Israel on Human Rights and a Negotiated Peace)

House of Deputies Message #219

The House of Deputies informs the House of Bishops that on Jun 26, 2024 it considered resolution D012 (Conditioning U.S. Military Assistance to Israel on Human Rights and a Negotiated Peace). The house acted to:

Concur


Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention reaffirm the longstanding commitment of The Episcopal Church, as most recently undertaken in General Convention resolution 2022-D024 (Oppose U.S. Military Assistance to Countries that Violate Human Rights), to supporting human rights in our own countries and around the world, and to ensuring that U.S. military assistance and arms sales not be used to perpetuate conflict, violate human rights, or contribute to corruption, instability, or violence in any country in the world; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church support enforcement of policies that ensure U.S. government military assistance to the State of Israel be conditioned on adherence to international humanitarian law and U.S. statutes such as the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, which provides that U.S. military arms and technologies not be used to violate human rights or commit war crimes anywhere in the world, including in Israel and the Palestinian territories; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church support policies to ensure U.S. government assistance to the State of Israel and to Palestinian authorities be conditioned on concrete commitments to: the cessation of attacks on civilian targets and a permanent ceasefire; effective humanitarian assistance for affected civilian populations, including provision of safe and fully resupplied hospital facilities; release of all hostages held without legal authority and prisoners held without charge or conviction in violation of international law; and measurable steps toward a negotiated peace agreement to end the occupation and violence on all sides, rebuilding devastated war-torn areas, and ensuring long-term security, civil rights, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention encourage all Episcopalians to join with other Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of all faiths to support the above policy goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Public Policy Network to promote the above policy goals.

That the Episcopal Church reaffirm its longstanding commitment, as most recently undertaken in General Convention resolution 2022-D024, to supporting human rights in our own countries and around the world, and to ensuring that U.S. military assistance and arms sales not be used to perpetuate conflict, violate human rights, or contribute to corruption, instability, or violence in any country in the world; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church support policies to ensure that that U.S. government military assistance to the State of Israel be conditioned on adherence to international humanitarian law, with provisions in place to ensure that U.S. military arms and technologies are not used to violate human rights or commit war crimes anywhere in world, including in Israel and the Palestinian territories; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church support policies to sanction (for example, with targeted banking or visa restrictions) organizations and individuals on either side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict who instigate, support, or conduct violent attacks on civilians or their property; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church support policies to ensure U.S. government assistance to the State of Israel and to Palestinian authorities be conditioned on concrete commitments to a permanent ceasefire and effective and effective humanitarian assistance for affected civilian populations; release of all hostages held ultra vires and prisoners held without charge or conviction in violation of international law; and measurable steps toward a negotiated peace agreement to end the occupation and violence on all sides, rebuild devastated war-torn areas, and ensure long-term security, civil rights, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.