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MBTA Bans Political Ads After Israel Controversy

BOSTON (AP) — The board that oversees Boston's transit system has voted to no longer accept advertising on political and social issues, days after controversy erupted over an ad that accuses the Israeli military of killing Palestinian children.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's fiscal management and control board voted unanimously Monday to add "political issues or matters of public debate" to a list of topics that are barred from ads on MBTA buses, trains or stations.

The vote followed a contentious public meeting at which a number of speakers said the ad, which appeared at the Davis Square subway station in Somerville, was anti-Semitic and could incite violence.

The ad was defended by representatives of The Palestine Advocacy Project and an official of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The new policy takes effect Dec. 1.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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