UK government expected to announce restrictions on trade with West Bank settlements
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to outline the proposals today, in a move which could prompt Israel to retaliate.
The UK government is set to announce new restrictions on trade with West Bank Jewish settlements, according to reports from the BBC. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline these measures in the Commons on Tuesday, which may include restrictions on agricultural products from settlements. Miliband revealed his intention to introduce a "comprehensive reset" of Britain's policy on Israel last week, with Israel warning it would retaliate against any new measures.
Settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, and recent months have seen increased violence against Palestinians by settlers. A senior minister told the BBC that the announcement will mark a "complete reset" of the UK's Israel-Palestine relationship. While the full details of the sanctions have not been disclosed, Labour MPs briefed on the plans believe they will target both goods and services from illegal settlements.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed to Labour MPs that Miliband will make the statement, and he has briefed international leaders, including US President Donald Trump, about the plans. The UK government's move comes after Israel opened tenders for building 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area, a strategically important region east of Jerusalem, which has drawn international criticism.
The proposal threatens the two-state solution, which the UK government believes is being jeopardized by the settlement expansion.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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