Surprise to hear Israeli ambassador dismiss two-state solution, UK minister says

It was a “surprise” to hear Israel’s ambassador to the UK say she does not support a two-state solution, a Foreign Office minister said, amid calls from senior Tories to ban illegal settler goods.

Andrew Mitchell faced questions about whether Britain could rely upon ambassador Tzipi Hotovely as a “faithful conveyor of the Israeli government’s message”, after she told Sky News in December she did not support a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Conservative former Cabinet minister Kit Malthouse meanwhile urged ministers to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In the Commons, Tory former minister Richard Fuller questioned whether Ms Hotovely was speaking for herself or her Government, when she said she did not support a two-state solution in the Middle East.

Mr Fuller, who was a minister under Liz Truss, said: “Recently the Israeli ambassador to the UK very candidly said there was absolutely no chance of a two-state solution.

“I would be interested if he has worked out whether she was speaking independently or whether she reflected the views of the Israeli government.

“If the latter, doesn’t that sound like a slap in the face of UK policy? If the former and she was making up her own view, how can she be relied upon as a faithful conveyor of the Israeli government’s message?”

Foreign Office minister Mr Mitchell replied: “I think that he will have noted a variety of different comments that have come out of Israeli spokesmen and Israeli ministers.

“But it is very strongly the policy of the British Government and many other governments too that we should work, when this appalling conflict is over, towards a two-state solution where both Israel and Palestine can live behind secure and safe borders.”

After being pressed by Labour MP Clive Betts (Sheffield South East), Mr Mitchell added: “It was perhaps a matter of surprise that the ambassador chose to express herself at this point in precisely that way, but he will be aware of the policy of the British Government, which is to support a two-state solution.”

Former Cabinet minister Mr Malthouse suggested ministers must do more to deter settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Mr Malthouse told the Commons: “In a very welcome move the Government obviously announced that it was going to bring in travel bans on violent settlers, but does the minister agree in order to deter this activity, which is worsening by the day, something more draconian may be needed, and would he look please at instituting immediate bans on trade with settlements?”

Mr Mitchell said: “That is not the policy of the Government and he will be aware that we are opposed to boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS).”

The minister urged MPs to “wait until Wednesday” to debate the matter, when the Commons will consider a Bill which would prevent local councils from engaging in the BDS movement which targets goods and businesses from Israel.

Elsewhere, Mr Mitchell faced calls to reveal the British Government’s position on legal proceedings filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing “genocidal” acts in Gaza.

He said: “It is not for me to exercise that judgment and the truth of the matter is I have not read all 84 pages but I have been briefed on it, and I think it must now be left to the court to reach its determination.”

However, Conservative former attorney general Michael Ellis said South Africa’s case had “no legal merit whatsoever” and that Israel’s actions were in “lawful self defence”.

He called on the Government to criticise South Africa’s actions, adding: “Is he aware that South Africa are geopolitically moving towards Iran and openly support Hamas?

“Indeed their foreign secretary said that Israel doesn’t even have the right to defend itself. They are in danger of becoming a terrorist proxy.”
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17:058 Jan 2024698 words
POLITICSIsrael

‘Stark’ famine risk as UK lobbies Israel to allow more aid to reach Gaza

(adds pars 17 and 18) (see also COMMONS Defence)

Britain is lobbying Israel “hard and regularly” to ensure more humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, amid warnings the risk of famine is “stark”.