Hope solely in an America-tailored and enforced settlement between Israelis and Palestinians today is nothing more than a chimera, says regional expert and Ekklesia associate Dr Harry Hagopian, in the wake of the US President's regional visit. Moreover, the two peoples will only manage to draw nearer to a peaceful resolution of the conflict if Israel acknowledges that it is occupying and colonising another people on their land and desist from applying those oppressive measures that are apartheid-like.

Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious and lay organisations and institutions have pledged to mobilise fresh support for peace in the Middle East.

A delegation of South African church leaders has returned from a one-week solidarity visit to the cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem in Palestine-Israel.