Benjamin Netanyahu’s denial of Palestinian statehood undermines prospects for peace, Labor MP says

Criticism from the assistant foreign minister, Tim Watts, comes as backbencher says Israeli prime minister is not a partner for peace'

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The Australian government has said it is deeply disappointed by comments from the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he rebuffed international calls for a pathway to a Palestinian state.

The assistant foreign minister, Tim Watts, said the remarks undermined prospects for peace. He also urged Israel to live up to" its commitment to uphold international law in its military operations in Gaza, where the death toll has passed 25,000 Palestinians.