King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized the necessity for Israel on Thursday to freeze settlement activities and halt unilateral measures which he said undermine peace efforts. At a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas here, King Abdullah said it is important to create appropriate atmosphere to jump-start Palestinian- Israeli peace negotiations and realize a comprehensive peace agreement that ensures the restoration of the rights of the Arabs and brings about lasting stability in the Middle East, according to a Jordanian royal court statement. The King and Abbas also looked into required steps during the next stage to rally efforts for the launch of peace negotiations based on relevant international terms of reference and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, according to the statement. The peace overture offers Israel with an opportunity for normal relations with the Arab countries in return for withdrawal from Arab territories it occupied in 1967 war. Since the election of the right-wing Israeli government in February this year, peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis were halted. The Palestinian National Authority has set freezing settlement activities in the West Bank and the recognition of the Palestinians' right for statehood as conditions for resuming peace talks with Israel, a matter that was clearly rejected by Israel. King Abdullah, who voiced support to the Palestinians and their aspiration in building their independent and viable Palestinian state on the Palestinian national soil, congratulated Abbas over the success of the sixth Fatah Conference and electing him as the movement's president. At the conference held earlier this month, Abbas emphasized commitment to peace negotiations with Israel, but said armed struggle remains an option. 