The Board of Deputies has asked a leading church movement to join a project to support coexistence in the Middle East - after it decided not to back sanctions against Israel.

The United Reformed Church, which has 50,000 members formed out of the amalgamation of English Presbyterians with other churches, had considered action against Israel at its general assembly last month.

But it avoided endorsing a pro-sanctions resolution which had originally been on the agenda and opted for an alternative, which emphasised dialogue and "peace-building".

Marie van der Zyl, a Board vice-president, said: "We were pleased they did not pass a boycott motion and resolved instead to work with interfaith partners like us and the Council of Christians and Jews on positive interventions."

A URC spokesman said conversations were ongoing.