Abbas blames Israel for stalling peace progress

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that Israel is internationally isolated because it doesn't want to make any progress towards peace.

He made the remarks in a recorded televised speech addressed to the Palestinian people worldwide on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Muslims' annual religious festival.

Abbas blamed Israel for expanding settlements, violating Palestinian holy sites and carrying out murders.

The Palestinians "manifest peace on the ground" and their position was largely respected by the international community, he said.

Abbas said he has agreed on a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conduct talks in Moscow upon an official invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, following failure of the International Quartet to push forward the peace process.

Palestinians support France's initiative of holding an international peace conference "to discuss the Palestinian cause and establish our state upon a specific and limited timetable," Abbas said.

The last direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke off in April 2014 after it went on for nine months. Sponsored by the United States, the talks failed due to deep differences on settlements, borders and security.

Abbas also stressed in the speech that although the Palestinian High Court ruled to suspend holding the municipal elections in the Palestinian territories, "we are determined to carry on with our democratic process at all levels." Endit