Israeli PM Netanyahu calls Palestinian leader Abbas, urges peacemaking

JERUSALEM

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office in Israel, July 14. AP photo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 14 telephoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and said he hoped the two sides could resume peace talks, stalled for three years, Israeli officials said.

Netanyahu offered greetings for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, his office said, adding that he told Abbas: "I hope we will have the opportunity to speak with one another not only during festivals, and will start negotiating. It's important."

Direct talks broke down in 2010 over Israel's settlement of the occupied West Bank, which Palestinians want as part of their future state. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has in recent months mounted shuttle visits in the hope of reviving negotiations.

"I hope Secretary of State Kerry's efforts will show results," Netanyahu said, according to the Israeli statement.