UK government expected to announce restrictions on trade with West Bank settlements

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to announce the measures on Tuesday

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

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline the measures in the Commons on Tuesday, 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.

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

Settlements are illegal under international law, and recent months have seen a rise in violence towards Palestinians in the West Bank by settlers.

One minister told the BBC: "The statement will be a complete reset of the nature of our Israel-Palestine relationship. It will all feel very different.

"It is not just about sanctions. We hope that this will finally achieve what those of us who have been working towards for two years over the Middle East have been working on."

But Labour MPs who have been briefed on the plans believe the sanctions will target trade with illegal settlements. They believe that means the sanctions would cover both goods and services.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed to Labour MPs at their weekly parliamentary meeting on Monday night that Miliband would be making the statement, according to a number of MPs present.

The prime minister is also said to have told the meeting that he had briefed international leaders about plans in phone calls on Monday afternoon.

Burnham spoke to US President Donald Trump over the phone on Monday, during which the prime minister stressed the importance of a two-state solution in the Middle East.