Israeli Defense Minister Wishes Palestinian President Happy Ramadan: Must Be A Month Of Peace

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer)

JAKARTA - A cool message came from two figures in the Middle East, when Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, wishing for peace and tranquility during Ramadan.

Minister Gantz wished him well into the blessed month of Ramadan in a phone call with President Abbas.

"Minister Gantz wished President Abbas a happy Ramadan and the Palestinian people," Gantz's office said, citing The National News April 6.

"Ramadan should be a month of peace and quiet, not a period marked by terror," Minister Gantz continued to President Abbas, referring to the recent deadly attacks in Israel.

Last year during Ramadan, clashes flared between Israeli troops and Palestinians visiting east Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound, leading to a devastating 11-day conflict between Israel and Gaza Strip rulers Hamas.

"Israel is ready to expand civil action during and after the month of Ramadan, according to the security situation," said Minister Gantz.

The statement did not reveal the measures that would affect Palestinians.

On the same occasion, Minister Gantz expressed 'appreciation' for President Abbas' comments about the attack in the town of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv late last month.

President Abbas has issued a rare condemnation of the March 29 attack, in which five people were killed after a Palestinian opened fire at passers-by.

He said the killing "will only lead to a further worsening of the situation, while we all strive for stability."

A total of 11 people have been killed in attacks in Israel since March 22, including several carried out by attackers linked to or inspired by the Islamic State group.

Over the same period, eight Palestinians were killed, according to an AFP tally, including two assailants in anti-Israel attacks and six people Israel says have carried out or will do so.