Palestinian elections can take place only when Israel approves voting in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as their future capital, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas said. The legislative polls are due to take place on May 22, ahead of a planned presidential vote in July.

Palestine will set a new date for holding the general elections if Israel approves voting in East Jerusalem, according to Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye.

"Once Israel allows holding the general elections in East Jerusalem, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will immediately issue a decree to set a new date for the general elections in the Palestinian territories," Ishtaye said during a meeting on Wednesday with Lynn Hastings, the UN deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process. "Holding the general elections is a Palestinian strategic decision and holding them in East Jerusalem is substantial," he told the UN official.

"Ignoring East Jerusalem means that we accept the rejected U.S. Deal of the Century," the Prime Minister said.

The Palestinian leadership insists on holding the general elections in East Jerusalem, as they want to elect a new parliament and a new president covering all Palestinian territories.

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