The British government has recognised the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, declared the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and announced both comprehensive sanctions on Israeli settlements and a ban on all arms licences and other exports that "materially contribute to the occupation."

France and Canada will also ban trade in settlement goods today, marking a significant diplomatic victory for the British government.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said in parliament on Tuesday afternoon that "the official view of the British government is that the occupation is unlawful because because of Israel's entrenchment of its control, its intention to extend permanent sovereignty and its expansionist agenda via illegal settlements."

This means the UK has accepted the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which said the occupation is unlawful and placed a duty on states to oppose it.

Miliband said: "The British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank perpetrated by settler terrorists.