Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has “given up” on Deputy Defence Minister Danny Danon after he told reporters that the Israeli government opposes a two-state solution.

Last week, Mr Danon told the Times of Israel: “Look at the government, there was never a government discussion, resolution or vote about the two-state solution.”

He added: “If you will bring it to a vote in the government — nobody will bring it to a vote, it’s not smart to do it — but if you bring it to a vote, you will see the majority of Likud ministers, along with the Jewish Home party, will be against it.”

Following Mr Danon’s interview Mr Yaalon commented: “I’ve given up responsibility for him [Danon] a long time ago. Don’t come to me with complaints.” According to sources, since Mr Danon was appointed in January, Mr Yaalon has “seriously curtailed” the responsibilities of his deputy.

Labour member of Knesset Isaac Herzog called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove Mr Danon as a consequence of the interview. “The Prime Minister must immediately relieve Danny Danon of his duties because of the grave damage his words inflicted on US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to revive peace negotiations,” he said.

Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz also responded, saying: “Anyone who tries to bury the two-state solution gives life to the idea of a bi-national state and endangers the future of Zionism. Hatnuah entered the coalition in order to advance negotiations on a two-state solution and will continue to do so.”