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.

A new advocacy initiative, launched at the culmination of a World Council of Churches (WCC) conference in Jordan this week, is to help churches worldwide work for a just peace in Palestine and Israel.

The head of the United Church of Canada has written to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging his government urgently and immediately to resume financial support to the Palestinian Unity Government - in the face of a wide boycott.

Hilary Benn wants to end the nomenclature of a 'war on terror', but he does not seem to have abandoned the 'clash of civilizations' or proposed any real alternative, writes Michael Marten.