Shtayyeh's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the US Senate in Ramallah. He said that putting an end to the unilateral israeli measures and recognizing the State of Palestine are key to achieving the two-state solution.

The prime minister stressed the importance of strengthening direct bilateral relations between Palestine and the United States. In addition, he called on the latter to reopen the US Consulate in Jerusalem and to restore direct aid to the State of Palestine to enable it to face the financial crisis resulting from Israel’s deductions from palestinian tax funds.

Shtayyeh also called to exert pressure on Israel to stop all its unilateral measures and violations against the palestinian people. These measures, he said, undermine the political project and the two-state solution.

Shtayyeh said that Israel deprives palestinians from exploiting their potential and their natural resources, especially in Area C. (which constitutes about 61 percent of the West Bank territory). He added that Israel prevents palestinians from developing their infrastructure.

"Israel no longer adheres to and respects the agreements signed with it. It is depriving us of our right to hold elections in all our lands, including Jerusalem, and we want the American administration to pressure in this direction to ensure the participation of our people in Jerusalem in any future elections as candidates and voters," he added.

Early in January, the United States voiced concern about the visit of a far-right minister in Israel's new government to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, holy to both Jews and Muslims, and warned against any change in the status quo of Jerusalem.

The compound is administered by Jordan's Waqf Islamic affairs council, with Israeli forces controlling access.