Churches in 40 countries have come together to hold peace vigils, seminars, concerts, festivals and public gatherings, in support of peace in Palestine and Israel.

The necessity of peace in the Middle East will be highlighted during a visit to Egypt next week by the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.

After delegates to the Church of Scotland's general assembly gathered on 15 May they were urged to support a call for Britain and the US to preserve Middle East peace and take no further action that could lead to an invasion of Iran.

Pope Benedict gave his support and prayers to a major peace conference that will gather in Annapolis, Maryland, USA, tomorrow, seeking steps toward a sustainable solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Christian Aid and some 40 other development and human rights organisations are warning world leaders attending the Middle East conference in Annapolis of the dangers of ignoring the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza.

Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has said that those close to the Bush administration in the USA who want military action against Syria and Iran are guilty of “criminal, ignorant and potentially murderous folly”. He urged peaceful stabilisation in Iraq.

Transformational diplomacy is not about entrenching Western interests in Palestine-Israel, says Michael Marten. It is about encouraging advice from regional experts, engaging with ‘the enemy’, treating Occupier and Occupied as such and working towards a just resolution.

Following on from his visit to the United States, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has embarked on a series of short visits to Armenia, Syria and Lebanon. The aim is to deepen church relations and promote peace. The trip runs from 22 - 29 September 2007.

Heads of the historic churches in Jerusalem have welcomed the Palestine-Israel Ecumenical Forum launched in Jordan last week. They want to work with those of all faiths and none to achieve a breakthrough in the deadly stalemate.

Christian Aid has this week urged Gordon Brown, who becomes British Prime Minister next week, not to make the same mistakes in the Middle East as Tony Blair.