Summary

  • The UK is expected to announce sanctions on goods and services from Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank

  • Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is due to announce the move in the House of Commons this afternoon

  • The settlements are illegal under international law - the UK's move comes as Israel opens tenders for 1,200 new homes in the occupied territory

  • The US opposes the UK imposing sanctions. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, tells the BBC that US states could retaliate against the UK

  • It's a symbolic gesture - but a significant moment, writes our correspondent Paul Adams

Live Reporting

Edited by Rorey Bosotti and Owen Amos

  1. Analysis

    A symbolic gesture - but a significant moment

    Paul Adams
    Diplomatic correspondent

    Ed Miliband is set to go further than any of his predecessors in targeting Jewish settlements in the West Bank – settlements successive British governments have described as illegal under international law and a barrier to peace.

    It’s a significant moment, coming almost a year after Sir Keir Starmer’s government recognised the state of Palestine and said the UK had a moral responsibility to support a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians.

    The government believes the prospects for a two-state solution are being jeopardised by the rapid expansion of settlements.

    It recognises that banning a relatively small quantity of mostly agricultural products is a largely symbolic gesture.

    But Miliband is describing this as a major reset in Britain’s wider policy on Israel, while Andy Burnham has said he believes more pressure needs to be put on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

    He’s already briefed President Trump on his plans. It’s not yet known what the president thinks.

  2. UK foreign secretary expected to announce restrictions on trade with West Bank settlements

    Aerial footage of the Israeli settlement of Maale Arugot in Gush Etzion in the illegally occupied West BankReuters

    Israel has built 160 settlements in the occupied West Bank since 1967

    The UK government is expected to set out new restrictions on buying goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the BBC understands.

    Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline the measures in the Commons today, which could include restrictions on trade in agricultural products from settlements.

    Last week, Miliband said he would unveil a "comprehensive reset" of the British government's policy on Israel. BBC News has not seen the full details of the measures.

    The Israeli government has previously warned it would retaliate if any new measures were introduced.

    The US is also likely to oppose the proposals. Its ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has told the BBC’s Newsday programme he thinks there will "without a doubt" be a reaction from the US.

    We’ll bring you the latest in the lead-up to the Commons statement.