The Palestinian Authority¿s top security official has called for an end to all violence against Israelis and a switch to civil resistance.
"All forms of Palestinian violence have to stop," Interior Minister Mr Abdel Razzak al-Yahya told Reuters in an interview.
"All resistance acts that are characterised by violence, such as using arms or even stones ... are harmful. I call for civil resistance within the framework of the political struggle," Mr al-Yahya said.
It was the most far-reaching call for non-violence made by a member of the Palestinian leadership since the uprising erupted in September 2000 after peace talks with Israel stalled.
A senior Israeli official welcomed Mr Yayha's remarks but said Israel wanted action, and not only words, from the Palestinian Authority.
In the interview, Yahya suggested that he faced an uphill battle for peace, with Palestinian society in a "state of chaos" and "continuous [Israeli] closures and siege" that made Palestinians susceptible to what he called radical ideas.
He also acknowledged the Palestinian Authority was having "great difficulty in regaining full control" of security in Palestinian areas.
Israel currently occupies six Palestinian cities after a West Bank offensive in June in response to suicide bombings.
"Let's admit ... we have lost a lot," Mr Yahya said of the suicide attacks. "I am not saying this side is to blame, or that. I'm saying there is occupation and dealing with occupation in this manner has harmed us. Therefore we have to find other ways to deal with it."