GC32 Justice in the Middle East 1988 (1988J753)

WHEREAS no authentic peace is possible without justice; and

WHEREAS the suffering of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation is severe and unacceptable;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 32nd General Council:

Affirm strongly the interfaith organizations in Canada that are working for reconciliation in Israel and the occupied territories;

Request the Division of World Outreach to consider providing further support and assistance to organizations in Israel that are striving for cooperation and peace, including the Middle East Council of Churches in its particular ministry of reconciliation;

Give more publicity in its various publications to the work of the organizations;

Call on the Government of Canada

To support actively an international peace conference on the Middle East under UN auspices and to be strong and even-handed in its support and concern for both Israel and the Palestinians; and

To speak out against all violations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip of the Fourth Geneva Convention which protects citizens under both military and civilian occupation from deportations and mass arrests, which forbids collective punishments such as the demolition of houses and which forbids the transfer of the occupier’s population into occupied territory.

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. GC32 1988 ROP, pp. 738-739

General Council Executive Minutes, November 1988, pp. 65-66