Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a video message Wednesday to the Muslim population in Israel and all over the world wishing them an "easy" month of Ramadan.

Open gallery view Benjamin Netanyahu at the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, July 26, 2010.

"We mark this important month [Ramadan] amid attempts to achieve direct peace talks with the Palestinians and to advance peace treaties with our Arab neighbors," Netanyahu said.

"I know you are partners in this goal and I ask for your support both in prayers and in any other joint effort to really create a peaceful and harmonious coexistence," he added.

Muslims around the world began their annual month-long fast on Wednesday, during which they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations from sunrise to sundown.

The end of this, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is marked by the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which this year falls on Thursday, September 9.

Netanyahu ended his speech with a traditional Arabic blessing wishing Muslims an easy fast.

Meanwhile, United States President Barack Obama will also mark this year's Muslim holiday with a traditional Eid al-Fitr dinner at the White House at the end of the month-long fast.

Similarly to last year, Obama invited several top Rabbis as well as Israel's U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren to the dinner, however, none of them have accepted the invitation as the festivity falls on a Friday night.



Israeli Embassy spokesman Jonathan Peled told Haaretz that Ambassador Oren thanked the White House for the invitation, but apologized that unfortunately he wont be able to attend because of the Sabbath.

Obama also issued a greeting for the start of Ramadan, saying, "Here in the United States, Ramadan is a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country. And today, I want to extend my best wishes to the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world – and your families and friends – as you welcome the beginning of Ramadan."