Shapps rebukes Netanyahu’s opposition to Palestine state
Grant Shapps has described Benjamin Netanyahu's opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state as "disappointing", saying the UK is "wedded" to the idea.
The Defence Secretary said there "isn't another option" other than a two-state solution.
It came after the Israeli prime minister doubled down on his rejection of Palestinian sovereignty as part of any post-war plan, saying his country needs full security control over the Palestinian territories.
Mr Netanyahu's remarks deepened a public rift with the US, which has argued a two-state solution is essential for long-term stability.
Mrs happs yesterday backed the US view, saying there is no other solution to the Israelhamas conflict.
He told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I think it's disappointing to hear Benjamin Netanyahu saying he doesn't believe in a two-state solution. in fairness, he's said that all of his political career, as far as I can tell.
"I don't think we get to a solution unless we have a twostate solution.
The Cabinet minister added the UK "certainly remains wedded to that ,"" sowed odis agree on that particular issue ."
But Mr Shapps also stressed the UK'S support for Israel's right to defend itself following Hamas's deadly October 7 attacks.
On the BBC'S Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, he said: "Palestinians deserve a sovereign state. Israel deserves to have the full ability to defend itself, its own security.
"Now, you'll get a lot of different views within the Israeli government, of course, it is a rainbow coalition.
"So we very much distinguish between the views of individuals and our overall support for Israel as a country."
Mr Netanyahu wrote on X late on Saturday: "I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over the entire area west of Jordan and this is contrary to a Palestinian state."
It came in defiance of US President Joe Biden, who hours earlier had voiced hope that a two-state solution was still possible even while Mr Netanyahu remains in office, following a call with the Israeli leader. Mr Biden had said Mr Netanyahu was not opposed to all two-state solutions, and there were a number of possible ideas.
But in a statement, the Israeli prime minister's office said Mr Netanyahu told Mr Biden that" after ham as is destroyed, Israel must retain security control over Gaza to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel, a requirement that contradicts the demand for Palestinian sovereignty".
Labour has also rebuked Mr Netanyahu's position.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper echoed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy in saying: "Those words from Netanyahu were completely unacceptable. Statehood of a people is not in the gift of its neighbour, it is the right of a people and it is the right of the Palestinian people."
And First Minister Humza Yousaf accused political leaders of viewing Palestinian blood as "cheap”.
Asked on BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, mr yo us af was asked if he believed people placed a "different value" on the lives of Muslims and Palestinians.
He replied: "Without a shadow of a doubt."