The Defence Secretary insisted that the UK “certainly remains wedded” to a two-state situation.
The Israeli Prime Minister, below, had doubled down on his rejection of Palestinian sovereignty as part of any post-war plan, saying his country needs full security control over those territories.
Mr Netanyahu’s remarks deepened a rift with the US, which has argued a two-state solution is essential for long-term stability.
Mr Shapps yesterday backed the US view, saying it was “it’s disappointing to hear Benjamin Netanyahu saying” that.
The Cabinet minister added: “I don’t think we get to a solution unless we have a two-state solution.” He admitted that with Israel “we do disagree on that particular issue”.
But he also stressed Britain’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself following Hamas’s attacks.
Mr Shapp said: “Palestinians deserve a sovereign state. Israel deserves to defend itself.”
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said: “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.”
Mr Lammy said the Israeli stance would mean “occupation and siege continues” in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll is above 25,000, according to local health officials.
