Public figures, scholars and peacemakers are among those speaking and performing at a celebration in London which aims to connect Palestinian Christians with those in the UK.

Organisations working for a reversal of the tide of violence in the Middle East welcomed the end of the six-year British military mission in Iraq yesterday, and called for continued investment in development, peacebuilding and change.

Members of a Pax Christi delegation have returned to the UK following an eight day visit to Palestine and Israel.

A delegation from the British section of the ecumenical Catholic peace movement Pax Christi has set off on a six-day support and learning visit to various parts of Israel-Palestine.

Protestors against the violence in Gaza and for an immediate ceasefire have taken place across Britain this weekend, including demonstrations in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast, Newcastle and Southampton.

Christian and other peacemakers staged a 10-hour vigil outside Canada House in London's Trafalgar Square yesterday, to call on on the Canadian government to halt the deportation of US soldiers who have fled the war in Iraq.

Pax Christi International has issued an open letter to G8 leaders meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, urging them to make renewed efforts toward the disarmament of nuclear weapons.