2018 General Assembly

Action 1

1.    Confirm PC(USA) support for the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the instrumentalities of the United Nations and the international justice system developed since then to make those rights realities in all countries.

4.    Advocate for the repeal of statutes of various states that seek to impose civil penalties or unconstitutional restrictions upon individuals and companies that support BDS policies and strategies and thereby violate the letter and spirit of the First Amendment.

5.    In cases where litigation may be brought challenging state anti-BDS statutes on the First Amendment, due process, and other constitutional grounds, instruct the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to provide support by filing amicus curiae briefs in appropriate situations, in coalition with other justice, religious liberty, and human rights groups whenever possible.

6.    Direct the Stated Clerk and appropriate Presbyterian Mission Agency program staff to develop resources and implement strategies for member education, interreligious dialogue, and public witness concerning the importance of the First Amendment freedoms of speech, association, press, and exercise of religion for all Americans, including the right to protest through boycott and divestment, and other nonviolent means.

Action 2

1.     Affirm the support of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights as expressed in the 210th General Assembly (1998).

2. Direct the Office of the General Assembly, through its Stated Clerk, to write to the United States president and secretary of state urging them to [use diplomatic tools to bring Israel into] full compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (of which Israel is a signatory) by changing its laws, policies, and practices that favor its Jewish citizens and discriminate against its Christian and Muslim citizens and other ethnic minorities.

3.     Direct the Stated Clerk to write to the U.S. president and secretary of state, urging them to advocate with their Israeli counterparts to cease all actions that block equal access of all citizens in Israel’s

a.             legal system;

b.             citizenship privileges;

c.             income and employment;

d.             distribution of resources and social welfare;

e.             accessibility to land;

f.             educational resources;

g.             availability of health resources; and

h.             political participation.

4.     Direct the Presbyterian Mission Agency, through the Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, to advocate for and witness to the human rights of all Israeli citizens regardless of their religious or ethnic minority status until Israel is in compliance with international humanitarian laws, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In particular, these offices should advocate for equal access for all people in Israel’s

a.             legal system;

b.             citizenship privileges;

c.             income and employment;

d.             distribution of resources and social safety welfare;

e.             accessibility to land;

f.             educational resources;

g.             availability of health resources; and

h.             political participation.

5.     Direct the Office of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Mission Agency, through its program units, to study, and inform all Presbyterians regarding the discriminatory practices in Israel today and to advocate for equal rights for all citizens who live in Israel, regardless of their religious and ethnic identity.

[6. To call on the United States Government to rejoin and re-engage with United Nations Human Rights Council.]

Action 3

1.    Formally receive and acknowledge the letter from the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine (NCCOP).

2  [All relevant, appropriate, official PC(USA) staff, committees, task forces, and mission networks [are directed to continue to respond in ecumenical solidarity for justice for Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, in Israel, throughout refugee camps and the diaspora, as informed by existing policy statements of previous General Assemblies.

     “3.  Instruct the bodies named above, coordinated by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, to make recommendations to the 224th General Assembly (2020) [as necessary in continuing to act in solidarity with our partners in Palestine and Israel] 

4.    Invite further ecumenical dialogue, most especially with the World Council of Churches, in that regard.

Action 4

1.   Urges its members, congregations, presbyteries, and national staff units, to reach out in open, truthful dialogue with our Jewish colleagues, engaging the issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

    2.   Challenges dialogue partners to build on common values for justice and peace in Israel/Palestine.

     3.   Facilitates the above dialogue by directing the Presbyterian Mission Agency to consider preparing study resources and urge presbyteries to provide opportunities for study to further educate church members about truthful, open interfaith dialogue.

Action 5

Recognizing that hope and love in the Israel and Palestine crisis must come from within, the 223rd GA (2018) of the PCUSA 

1) Celebrates whenever and wherever Palestinian and Israelis come together in building honest understanding and peace, working together to address inequality to pave the way to reconciliation. 

2) Directs the PMA to identify grassroots organizations and ministries (especially for youth) in Palestine or Israel working for radical, systemic change. 

3) Directs the PMA to make these ministries and organizations known to PCUSA congregations for support and encouragement. 

4) Where there are obstacles to this grassroots engagement in Israel/Palestine, the PCUSA will advocate for freedom of engagement.