Prime minister urges US to press Israel to end collective punishment against Palestinians

By Awad Rjoob

RAMALLAH (AA) - Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh demanded Friday that the US pressure Israel to end the policy of collective punishment against Palestinians.

During a meeting where he received a US delegation headed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at his office in Ramallah, Shtayyeh also he wants Israel to " hand over the bodies of the killed Palestinians," according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

He said Israel stopping its unilateral practices will be the starting point for ensuring a political atmosphere based on international laws and legitimacy and the "expansion of Jewish settlements is the number one enemy of the peace process."

Pointing out that if Israel continues to establish more settlements, a two-state solution will not be possible in the near future, Shtayyeh demanded that "Palestine be recognized as a state within the 1967 borders for a two-state solution."