Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn is to visit Israel and the West Bank next week, it has been announced.

He is expected to meet Israeli politicians during time in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv before travelling to Ramallah.

It will be the most high-profile visit of a Labour front-bencher since May’s general election, the appointment of Jeremy Corbyn as party leader, and since former leader Ed Miliband travelled to Israel last year.

Mr Benn will be accompanied by Labour Friends of Israel chair Joan Ryan MP for some parts of the visit.

Last month he spoke at the LFI annual lunch , and urged his party colleagues to combat delegitimisation of Israel. He also spoke of his personal family links to the country.