Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

<Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred.  Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text.>

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm: that the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas was an indefensbile act of terrorism; that Israel’s counterinsurgency in Gaza has exhibited a reckless disregard for the civilian population; and that Hamas has shown reckless disregard for the civilian population by sheltering its armed combatants underneath and within hospitals, schools and other places to which refugees have fled; and that for all the people of Israel and Palestine to enjoy freedom, peace, justice, and national self-determination, there must be a Palestinian state, coexisting with the Jewish State of Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention affirm The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church (MB013) in lamenting the violence and loss of life in Gaza, demanding the speedy provision of food and medical aid, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages and other captives; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the Office of Government Relations to continue its work on human rights, justice, and other issues affecting the region while redoubling our church’s advocacy of the two-state solution, especially by lobbying for linkage between military aid for Israel and the degree of its participation in the peace process as well as lobbying for sanctions against nations that support Hamas, Hezbollah, and other extremist anti-Israel groups; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of Government Relations also promote The Episcopal Church’s view that rebuilding Gaza, continuing to build up the economy of the West Bank, and promoting security for both Palestinians and Israelis are the responsibility of the United Nations, Israel, the U.S., Israel’s other allies, and Israel’s Arab neighbors, all of whom should be prepared to join in historic levels of aid and investment; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention invite all Episcopalians to play a role in working for a durable, just peace through philanthropy, study, advocacy, investment in Palestinian enterprises, divestment from all firms doing business in or with West Bank settlements (2018-B016, Develop Investment Criteria for Israel and Palestine Based on a Human Rights Screen), and deepening personal relationships with those living in the region, through pilgrimages and by other means.

******

<Proposed amended resolution text showing exact change being made:>

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm: that the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas was an indefensbile act of terrorism; that Israel’s counterinsurgency in Gaza has exhibited a reckless disregard for the civilian population; and that Hamas has shown reckless disregard for the civilian population by sheltering its armed combatants underneath and within hospitals, schools and other places to which refugees have fled; and that Hamas has shown reckless disregard for the civilian population by sheltering its armed combatants underneath and within hospitals, schools and other places to which refugees have fled; that the current government in Israel, in effectively ruling out a Palestinian state, continues to pursue an apartheid policy against the Palestinian people; and that for all the people of Israel and Palestine to enjoy freedom, peace, justice, and national self-determination, there must be a Palestinian state, coexisting with the Jewish State of Israel; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention affirm The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church (MB013) in lamenting the violence and loss of life in Gaza, demanding the speedy provision of food and medical aid, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages and other captives; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the Office of Government Relations to continue its work on human rights, justice, and other issues affecting the region while redoubling our church’s advocacy of the two-state solution, especially by lobbying for linkage between military aid for Israel and the degree of its participation in the peace process as well as lobbying for sanctions against nations that support Hamas, Hezbollah, and other extremist anti-Israel groups; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of Government Relations also promote The Episcopal Church’s view that rebuilding Gaza, continuing to build up the economy of the West Bank, and promoting security for both Palestinians and Israelis are the responsibility of the United Nations, Israel, the U.S., Israel’s other allies, and Israel’s Arab neighbors, all of whom should be prepared to join in historic levels of aid and investment; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention invite all Episcopalians to play a role in working for a durable, just peace through philanthropy, study, advocacy, investment in Palestinian enterprises, divestment from all firms doing business in or with West Bank settlements (2018-B016, Develop Investment Criteria for Israel and Palestine Based on a Human Rights Screen), and deepening personal relationships with those living in the region, through pilgrimages and by other means.