The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:
Change the title of the Petition to "Economic Support for Palestinians".
Whereas, the signing of the Oslo Accord by the PLO and Israel in September, 1993 stipulated financial aid for a necessary and rapid improvement in the economy of the occupied territories; and
Whereas, external parties, including the United States, at the World Bank Conference in October, 1993, pledged 2.4 billion dollars to help revive the failing economy of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and to provide for immediate and basic needs such as nutrition, housing, health care, sanitation, education, and jobs; and
Whereas, delivery of aid has kept pace neither with the promises nor the needs,
causing further deterioration of the living standards of the Palestinians,
contributing to the unrest and cycle of violence which is endangering
free elections, and making it difficult for the Palestinian National
Authority to establish educational systems and other social programs and to
implement economic development; and
Whereas, continued and, in many cases, intensified closures, confiscation of Palestinian land by the government of Israel, and the importing of foreign workers into Israel to replace Palestinian labor, coupled with economic policies of the Israeli government which hamper economic development in the West Bank and Gaza, have caused a further deterioration of the living standards of Palestinians, an increasing distrust of the peace process and its leaders, and an increasing sense of hopelessness and frustration; and
Whereas, we deplore the violence directed toward Israelis and the violence directed towards Palestinians and believe that, even as we hold the perpetrators responsible and accountable, we must address the root causes;
Be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church insist that
ourthe U. S. government release
itsthe remaining portion of
theits aid immediately and encourage other nations to
do the same; and
Be it further resolved, that we request that ourthe U. S.
government reevaluate the entire structure of aid to the Middle East, one
goal being to redistribute the huge amount now given to Israel and Egypt, and a
second goal being to consider economic support for the efforts of
non-governmental organizations, including religious institutions, human rights
groups, labor unions, and professional groups; and.
Be it further resolved, that we insist that our government use its
influence upon the State of Israel to cease the confiscation of land, allow
freedom of movement to the Palestinian people, and cease those economic
policies which are detrimental to development in the West Bank of Gaza;
and
Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to the
representatives of the State of Israel in the United States, to the President
of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Representatives and Senators,
the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, and representatives of
the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global
Ministries.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Calendar Item Text: 587-NonDis1996 United Methodist General Conference