LONDON: The UK government is working on plans to ban imports and exports involving Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Speaking before the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee on Wednesday, Trade Minister Chris Bryant said there was a “very strong” moral and legal case for prohibiting goods and services linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Such a move would mark a significant shift in government policy, after ministers previously said they were reviewing options but stopped short of backing a ban.

It comes as a cross-party group of MPs called on the government to implement a total ban during a backbench debate in parliament

The news came as the EU also tried to ban trade with Israeli settlements.