BRUSSELS (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appealed Thursday to the European Union for help to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and support for a lasting peace agreement.

"You are our friends, help us," Abbas told EU lawmakers in Brussels, adding that "Israel has turned our country into an open-air prison."

Abbas said the occupation was only encouraging extremists and fomenting terrorism.

To the applause of lawmakers he said: "Why is international law not being applied in the case of Israel?"

The EU has promised an "unprecedented package" of political and economic support to both sides should they reach a final agreement, amid a new European push to help end the long-running conflict.

Visiting Brussels at the same time as Abbas, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin expressed disappointment that the Palestinian leader has "refused again and again to meet with Israeli leaders, and turns again and again to support of the international community."

"We can talk directly and find a way to build confidence," Rivlin told reporters, after talks with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.