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British MPs Vote to Ban Public Bodies from Boycotting Israel and Other Countries
(The Guardian) Kiran Stacey - MPs have voted to ban public bodies from boycotting Israel and other countries, despite scores of Conservative MPs not backing the bill, some of whom said the ban was illiberal and others that it would hamper action against China. The bill will ban public bodies such as local councils from imposing economic sanctions on countries that are not sanctioned by the Westminster government, singling out Israel as particularly worthy of protection. Michael Gove, the communities secretary, said during the Commons debate on Monday: "[The bill] affirms the important principle that UK foreign policy is a matter for the UK government." Gove has long been a critic of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.