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UK: Israel boycott ban: Shunning Israeli goods to become criminal offence for public bodies and student unions

16 February 2016

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"Local councils, public bodies and even some university student unions are to be banned by law from boycotting “unethical” companies, as part of a controversial crackdown being announced by the Government.

Under the plan all publicly funded institutions will lose the freedom to refuse to buy goods and services from companies involved in the arms trade, fossil fuels, tobacco products or Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Any public bodies that continue to pursue boycotts will face “severe penalties”, ministers said."

See the article: Israel boycott ban: Shunning Israeli goods to become criminal offence for public bodies and student unions (The Independent, link)

This follows similar moves taken recently by the French government. See: France's criminalisation of Israel boycotts sparks free-speech debate (France 24, link) and Defying court ruling, French figures call for Israel boycott (Electronic Intifada, link)

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