JERUSALEM, April 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli and Palestinian mayors met in the West Bank city of Jericho on Wednesday to declare a "civilian truce" between the two sides, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

    The mayors, 20 from Israel and 12 are Palestinians, said they came to Jericho to show support for a cease-fire and encourage are turn to the negotiating table, said Ha'aretz.

    The two-hour gathering was hosted by Jericho mayor Hassan Saleh, who said "we have both paid a heavy price... good neighbors will not come with occupation, it will not come with checkpoints, it will not come with killing or rockets or bombings." He stressed that it is time to take a more peaceful path to the Palestinian statehood.

    A joint statement was released at the end of the meeting, expressing sorrow and regret for all lives lost in the decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reiterated their support for a peaceful solution.

    "We reject all acts of violence against innocent civilians on both sides and the only way to move forward is to stop the violence and bloodshed, and we call on the two sides to declare a year-long truce," the statement said.

    Eli Moyal, the mayor of Sderot, was also quoted as saying "we know at the end of all wars, we've got to sit together and live together, so let's do it as soon as possible."

    "There is a wind of peace heading our way and we must work to make it stronger, and that's why we're here," he added. Enditem