Jordan's King Abdullah II said Saturday extremism has "grown fat" off of the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Also speaking at the World Economic Forum, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appealed to Israel in a separate speech to "make peace a reality."

"There remains a window of opportunity for peace," he said. "I invite the Israelis to make peace a reality on the ground."

Associated Press/Mohammad Hannon - King Abdullah II of Jordan gives the opening speech at the World Economic Forum, held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention center, in Southern Shuneh, 34 miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Amman, Jordan, Saturday, May 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan (AP)  — Jordan's King Abdullah II said Saturday extremism has "grown fat" off of the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Good faith talks must get going," Abdullah told the opening of a two-day meeting of the Geneva-based World Economic Forum on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

He pointed to an Arab peace initiative that offers Arab recognition to Israel in exchange for land to Palestinians based on the 1967 borders.

Abdullah, who maintains cordial ties with Israel under a peace treaty signed in 1994, demanded a halt to Jewish settlement construction in territories claimed by the Palestinians for a future state...READ MORE