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11-28 Prepare Study on Israel/Palestine within the context of the Middle East.
Source: Agencies Sponsor:
General Assembly Mission Council
Committee:
[11-28] Peacemaking and International Issues
Type:General Assembly Full Consideration
Topic:Unassigned
http://www.pc-biz.org/Explorer.aspx?id=1941
ASSEMBLY ACTION
On this Item, the General Assembly, acted as follows:
Approve as Amended
Voice Vote
Final Text:
“[The General Assembly Council recommends that the 218th General Assembly (2008) direct the General Assembly Council (GAC), working with the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP),] [The 218th General Assembly (2008) requests that the Moderators of the 218th, 217th, and 216th General Assemblies (2008), (2006), and (2004) select a nine-member committee from a broad spectrum of viewpoints from PC(USA) members] to prepare a comprehensive study, with recommendations, that is focused on Israel/Palestine within the complex context of the Middle East. The study should include an evaluation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s mission and relationships, including an assessment of the future for the Christian presence and witness in the Middle East, an overview of the complex interactions among religions, cultures, and peoples that characterize the region, an analysis of U.S. policies that impact the area, and steps to be taken with our partners in the Middle East and the United States to foster justice, improve interfaith relations, and nurture the building of peace toward a secure and viable future for all[, and report back to the 219th General Assembly (2010)].”
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
On this Item, the Peacemaking and International Issues Committee, acted as follows:
Approve as Amended
[Counted Vote - Committee]
Affirmative:55
Negative:3
Abstaining:2
Final Text:

 

[Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through and with brackets; text to be added or inserted is shown with an underline and with brackets.]
 
“[The General Assembly Council recommends that the 218th General Assembly (2008) direct the General Assembly Council (GAC), working with the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP),] [The 218th General Assembly (2008) requests that the Moderators of the 218th, 217th, and 216th General Assemblies (2008), (2006), and (2004) select a nine-member committee from a broad spectrum of viewpoints from PC(USA) members] to prepare a comprehensive study, with recommendations, that is focused on Israel/Palestine within the complex context of the Middle East. The study should include an evaluation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s mission and relationships, including an assessment of the future for the Christian presence and witness in the Middle East, an overview of the complex interactions among religions, cultures, and peoples that characterize the region, an analysis of U.S. policies that impact the area, and steps to be taken with our partners in the Middle East and the United States to foster justice, improve interfaith relations, and nurture the building of peace toward a secure and viable future for all[, and report back to the 219th General Assembly (2010)].”
RECOMMENDATION

The General Assembly Council recommends that the 218th General Assembly (2008) direct the General Assembly Council (GAC), working with the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), to prepare a comprehensive study, with recommendations, that is focused on Israel/Palestine within the complex context of the Middle East. The study should include an evaluation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s mission and relationships, including an assessment of the future for the Christian presence and witness in the Middle East, an overview of the complex interactions among religions, cultures, and peoples that characterize the region, an analysis of U.S. policies that impact the area, and steps to be taken with our partners in the Middle East and the United States to foster justice, improve interfaith relations, and nurture the building of peace toward a secure and viable future for all.

 
RATIONALE

Given that the last “comprehensive study” on the Middle East was approved (with background) by the 209th General Assembly (1997), Resolution on the Middle East, (Minutes, 1997, Part I, pp. 560-584) and, in order to discern what all of this means for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in our time, a process of study, reflection, and action is imperative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION

Original Financial Implications- (2008): $7,340 ; (2009): $29,960 ; (2010): $5,240 [Per Capita-GAC]

Committee Action Financial Implications- (2008): $8,455 ; (2009): $27,925 ; (2010): $5,380 [Per Capita-OGA]