Asked about the remarks during a visit to a school in Finchley, north London, the Prime Minister replied: “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.”
He 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.
“Of course, Israel has a right to defend itself from an appalling terrorist attack that it suffered.
“But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu just last week, Israel must take every available precaution to protect innocent civilian lives.”
‘Killing Palestinian civilians’
His remarks came as Lord Cameron announced the UK will mirror US sanctions on individuals who are responsible for settler violence in the West Bank.
The Foreign Secretary said: “Extremist settlers, by targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“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.”
Last week the US announced its own visa ban, whilst the EU has said that it is also considering a similar measure.
The United Nations has said daily settler attacks have more than doubled since Hamas launched its Oct 7 terror attack on Israel.
Joe Biden’s administration is separately blocking the sale of more than 20,000 US-made assault rifles over concerns about settler violence.
Axios reported that the White House has paused licences for exporting the M16s to Israel amid signs its support for Israel is starting to fray.
Mr Biden warned Tel Aviv on Tuesday that it was losing international support over the “indiscriminate” bombing of Gaza and urged it to change tack.
Lord Cameron described the ambassador’s comments as “disappointing” and said Britain was still committed to a two-state solution.
The Foreign Secretary said Israel’s long-term security “requires there to be a state for Palestine as well” and the UK would continue to push for one.
He told peers: “I don’t think we should put too much weight on one interview. We have to get on and think about how to help make this happen.”
France’s public calls for ceasefire
Lord Cameron also criticised France’s public calls for a ceasefire, which he said would ultimately undermine the goal of a two-state solution.
In notable public criticism of Emmanuel Macron, he said Paris was wrong to urge an end to the fighting before Hamas had been defeated.
He made the remarks when asked by peers why the UK had not backed a United Nations resolution calling for a truce in a vote on Tuesday.
“If you have an immediate ceasefire but Hamas still armed to the teeth, launching rockets into Israel, wanting to repeat October 7, you’ll never have a two-state solution,” he said.
“I know the British can be annoyingly logical and factual and down to earth about it. I totally understand countries that just sign up for the immediate ceasefire, say they want a two-state solution and don’t reconcile those things, but I think we should try and reconcile those things.
“So yes to urgent pauses, yes to aid in and hostages out, yes to sustainable ceasefire and yes to a two-state solution, but I don’t think we should vote for things that are inconsistent with those views.
“And so that’s the difference between us and what the French voted for and others voted for but I think our approach is the right one.”
The Foreign Secretary also said that he was considering extending the sanctions on those responsible for settler violence to include asset freezes.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
