UK government may impose restrictions on trade with Jewish settlements

The UK government may impose new restrictions on buying goods made in Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband likely 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.”

BBC News has not seen the full details of the measures.