RELIGIOUS leaders across Dorset and Hampshire have backed a groundbreaking new initiative by Bournemouth's Jewish and Muslim communities calling for "tolerance, compassion and a humane vision".

Rabbi Neil Amswych from Bournemouth Reform Synagogue and Majid Yasin, director of Bournemouth Islamic Centre, have released a joint statement urging local residents to support efforts to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.

The statement has been signed by 40 other religious leaders across Dorset and Hampshire, including Canon Jim Richard-son, team rector for Bourne-mouth town centre and Bourne-mouth University chaplain, the Rev Dr David Hart.

The Archdeacon of Sherborne, Ven Paul Taylor, and Bourne-mouth nightclubs chaplain Jon Oliver have also supported the initiative along with Martin Manley from the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church.

Rabbi Neil stressed that all those who had signed the statement "believe all human beings are created equally and that all life is sacred".

He added: "We call on all parties in the Middle East to maintain the current ceasefire which came into effect on Monday morning since stability in the area can be best achieved through diplomatic and not military means.

"With this in mind the United Nations should immediately send a peacekeeping force into southern Lebanon and take all necessary measures to prevent further loss of life on either side of the Lebanese-Israeli border."

The religious representatives urged residents in Dorset and Hampshire "regardless of faith, to press local and national government representatives to ensure a balanced and just ceasefire, allowing neighbours to co-exist without fear of attack".

The statement concludes: "While lasting stability in the region will be difficult for all parties involved, we urge tolerance, compassion and a humane vision by all."

The signatories:

Rabbi Neil Amswych, Rabbi of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue M Yasin, Director and Imam of Bournemouth Islamic Centre and Central Mosque Rev Dr David Hart, Bournemouth University Chaplain Rev Jonathan Martin, Poole Civic Chaplain Rev Stuart Miller, Bournemouth and Poole College Chaplain Canon Jim Richardson, team rector Bournemouth town centre parish Ian Knight, Skinner Street URC Poole church secretary John Crowe, PCC Secretary, All Saints' Church, Branksome Park Rev Simon Evans, vicar of Ensbury Park & Chaplain to Bournemouth police Rev Canon Dr Christopher Rutledge, vicar Talbot Village, Bournemouth Rev Mark Warner, Minister BUGB Rev Ian Thomas, team leader IBEX: The Churches Working with the Economy - Central South Coast Joe Salmon, secretary Poole Christian Aid Martin Manley, training officer, Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church Rev Mike Oates, vicar St Paul's, Canford Heath, Poole The Venerable Paul Taylor, Archdeacon of Sherborne R Hemmingfield, Head of Training, Life for the World Trust Rev Roger Bayldon, assistant curate St Mark's Church, Talbot Village Mary Chipping, District Lay Preaching Commissioner, Dorset District URC Rev Penny Trimmer, Assistant Curate St Mark's Church, Talbot Village Howard Oldfield, Pastor of Poole Vineyard Church Rev Martin Ambler, Minister at Richmond Hill St Andrew's United Reformed Church, Bournemouth Rev Colin Marsh, URC Minister, Blandford, Mere and Shaftesbury Rev Robert Peters, vicar of St Paul's, Throop and Anglican Area Dean of Bournemouth James Cairns, chairman Christian Aid Resource Committee, Poole Damian Gevertz, Chairperson of South Hampshire Reform Jewish Community Rev Declan McConville, chaplain Poole hospital.

Rev David Vincent, Immanuel United Reformed Church, Southbourne Rev J Clive Sutcliffe, President of Dorset District United Reformed Churches Rev Brenda Stephenson, Minister United Church, Dorchester Rev K S Timbrell, Chaplain to Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust Rev Dr Bob McKinley, Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Churches in Bournemouth Rev Bob Vernon, St James the Greater Church, Bournemouth Kewal Singh, Secretary Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Southampton Mr Paddy Bartholomew, Reader, Purbeck Jack Horwood, SGI-UK, Dorset and Channel Islands HQ Jon Oliver, Chaplain to Bournemouth nightclubs Pastor Bill Rice, The King's Church, Poole Brian Lassman, President Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation Rev Tim Selwood, co-ordinator of Three Faiths Forum in Hampshire and Dorset Susan Barry, area co-ordinator for Christian Aid Janet Warren/Jack Cummings, co-clerks for Bournemouth Quakers