D056 (Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza)

House of Bishops Message #103

The House of Bishops informs the House of Deputies that on Jun 25, 2024 it considered resolution D056 (Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza). The house acted to:

Adopt with Amendment – Floor changes


Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

<Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred.  Scroll down the ***** to see the version showing all delated and added text:> 

That the 81st General Convention decry the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas, as well as the disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in Israel's war against Hamas;

Resolved, That we the 81st General Convention also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, and other nations in the world, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of violence and war; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies set aside a specific day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine in this conflict, including urgent prayers that the conflict not end in genocide; and be it further

Resolved, That all members of this church be urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive, equitable, and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this church be asked to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.

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<Proposed amended resolution text exact changes being made:> 

That the 81st General Convention decries decry the ongoing genocide by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the attacks of October 7th by Hamas against Israeli civilians; That the 81st General Convention decry the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas, as well as the disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in Israel's war against Hamas; and be it further

Resolved, That we the 81st General Convention also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, and other nations of the world, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and we accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of a culture that encourages violence and war; and be it further

ResolvedThat the presiding officers set aside a specific day in the upcoming year as a day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel/Palestine in this genocideThat the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies set aside a specific day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine in this conflict, including urgent prayers that the conflict not end in genocide; and be it further

Resolved, That all members of this church are be urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive, equitable, and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this church ask their elected representatives to call for a moratorium on offensive arms sales or transfers to Israel until such time as Israel comes into compliance with settled international law regarding territorial expansion by force; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this church are be asked to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.