D019 Ending Church Complicity in the Occupation
The Episcopal Church has a long history of policy development in the tragic and seemingly intractable conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian people. This history is well researched in a document produced by the Archives of the Episcopal Church and can be accessed at https://www.episcopalarchives.org/sites/default/files/gc_resolutions_2018/Israel-Palestine_AECResearchReport_09-05-2017.pdf That history has unwaveringly supported the right of Israel to exist in secure and safe borders, while at the same time supporting a sovereign state of Palestine, with Jerusalem to serve as the shared capital of both nations. And the Church has opposed acts of terrorism and violence against Israel, including suicide bombers attacking innocent civilians, while opposing Israel’s occupation that includes detentions, demolition of Palestinian homes, military checkpoints, the building of a wall/fence where it violates Palestinian land, and building illegal Jewish settlements. The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility regularly reviews its investment portfolio for social performance. Over the years, a number of issues have been identified as areas where the Episcopal Church should not invest its resources. Among those are: Tobacco companies Oil companies in Sudan Prison Industry Companies in South Africa (during the apartheid era) Certain military contractors These companies are placed on a No Buy List to avoid ongoing Church complicity in areas that violate the values of Jesus Christ as determined by policies of General Convention and Executive Council. For the past 12 years, the Church has pursued corporate engagement with companies in its portfolio that are involved in the occupation, including Caterpillar, Motorola and Trip Advisor, among others. Nonetheless, these investments make the Church complicit in the occupation. Thus, consideration of a No Buy list of companies would be a logical progression as the Church seeks justice for all Israelis and Palestinians.
Explanation
The Episcopal Church has a long history of policy development in the tragic and seemingly intractable conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian people. This history is well researched in a document produced by the Archives of the Episcopal Church and can be accessed at https://www.episcopalarchives.org/sites/default/files/gc_resolutions_2018/Israel-Palestine_AECResearchReport_09-05-2017.pdf That history has unwaveringly supported the right of Israel to exist in secure and safe borders, while at the same time supporting a sovereign state of Palestine, with Jerusalem to serve as the shared capital of both nations. And the Church has opposed acts of terrorism and violence against Israel, including suicide bombers attacking innocent civilians, while opposing Israel’s occupation that includes detentions, demolition of Palestinian homes, military checkpoints, the building of a wall/fence where it violates Palestinian land, and building illegal Jewish settlements. The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility regularly reviews its investment portfolio for social performance. Over the years, a number of issues have been identified as areas where the Episcopal Church should not invest its resources. Among those are: Tobacco companies Oil companies in Sudan Prison Industry Companies in South Africa (during the apartheid era) Certain military contractors These companies are placed on a No Buy List to avoid ongoing Church complicity in areas that violate the values of Jesus Christ as determined by policies of General Convention and Executive Council. For the past 12 years, the Church has pursued corporate engagement with companies in its portfolio that are involved in the occupation, including Caterpillar, Motorola and Trip Advisor, among others. Nonetheless, these investments make the Church complicit in the occupation. Thus, consideration of a No Buy list of companies would be a logical progression as the Church seeks justice for all Israelis and Palestinians.