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Government confirms it will ban Israel boycotts by councils and public bodies

Boris Johnson says measure would stop 'public bodies from taking it upon themselves... to develop their own pseudo-foreign policy'

December 19, 2019 14:39
Boris Johnson said the policy would stop public bodies developing their own 'pseudo foreign policy' against Israel
1 min read

The Government has confirmed it will proceed with banning local councils from boycotting Israel, as the Conservatives promised in their election manifesto.

"One innovation this speech introduces is we will stop public bodies from taking it upon themselves to boycott goods from other countries to develop their own pseudo-foreign policy against a country which with nauseating frequency turns out to be Israel," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during the debate on the post-election Queen's Speech on Thursday.

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: "The Board of Deputies has long called for action on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions in public bodies. This divisive activity intimidates Jewish communities in the Diaspora and does nothing to build peace in the Middle East.

"We welcome the Government’s pledge today to take action.