Rishi Sunak rejects Israeli ambassador and confirms UK backs two-state solution
The PM said the UK “doesn’t agree” with Tzipi Hotovely’s comments that there is “absolutely no” prospect of a Palestinian state.
She made the remark in an interview with Sky News, as fighting continues in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 massacre of Israeli civilians.
Asked whether there was a chance of a Palestinian state, Ms Hotovely said: “Absolutely no.”
The diplomat added: “Israel knows today, and the world should know now that the Palestinians never wanted to have a state next to Israel.
“They want to have a state from the river to the sea. They are saying it loud and clear.
“It’s now two months after the war started. The Palestinian Authority didn’t condemn this massacre. It’s such a big problem.”
Asked about her remarks during a visit to the Wren Academy in north London, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: “We don’t agree with that.
“Our longstanding position remains the two-state solution is the right outcome here.
“And more immediately, what is going on is incredibly concerning. I’ve said consistently, far too many innocent people have lost their lives.
“No-one wants this conflict to go on for a moment longer than is necessary.”
Mr Sunak added: “We will continue to support calls for a sustainable ceasefire where hostages are released, more aid can get in, and the rockets, crucially, stop being fired from Hamas into Israel as well.”
His comments come as Lord Cameron announced travel sanctions on “extremist settlers” in the West Bank, who he accused of “undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians” by “targeting and killing Palestinian civilians”.
The Foreign Secretary tweeted: “Israel must take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“We are banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts.”
The United Nations’ General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, a move that was objected to by the US and abstained on by the UK.
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Ms Hotovely said Israel needs “more than a few weeks” to “finish the job”, adding that Israeli cities had been barraged by 11,000 rockets in recent weeks.
She said a ceasefire now would be akin to welcoming “another attack” like that witnessed on October 7.
Hamas’s bloody raids on Israel more than two months ago saw 1,200 people killed and more than 240 taken hostage.
Israel’s air and ground assault launched in response has killed more than 18,600 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
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