As the 60th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel approaches, Western church leaders are putting their names to a historic joint declaration calling for a just peace in Palestine/Israel. Desmond Tutu is among signatories.

Church leaders in Manchester are calling a meeting with community leaders and other agencies to discuss what many see as a worrying growth of gun crime in the region. But the issue remains one of credibility and practical alternatives

At a church service in Jerusalem on Sunday, Christian leaders called for an end to 40 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and emphasized the church's commitment to non-violence in the service of peace.

A delegation of church leaders from the US last night criticised US president George Bush for sidelining churches