| November 4, 2002 |
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| Commerce Official Urges Compliance
with U.S. Regulations Opposing Boycott of Israel |
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| Commerce Under Secretary for Industry
and Security Kenneth I. Juster today again reminded U.S. companies of the need
to comply with laws and regulations prohibiting U.S. persons from taking
actions in support of foreign government boycotts against Israel. Juster's
comments were in response to recent statements made by certain members of the
Arab League's Boycott Office to reactivate the ban on trade with Israel. |
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| "The U.S. Government is strongly
opposed to restrictive trade practices or boycotts targeted at Israel," Juster
said. "The Commerce Department is closely monitoring efforts that appear to be
made to reinvigorate the Arab boycott of Israel and will use all of its
resources to vigorously enforce U.S. antiboycott regulations." |
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| The comments were triggered after
some Arab groups in the US called for a boycott against Israel. Boycott Watch
is looking into whether the statements may have also been triggered by a
'Divestment from Israel Conference' that was recently at the University of
Michigan. Jewish groups from across the country, including the
Zionist Organization of
America, and Betar
attended a counter protest organized by AMCHA - The Coalition for Jewish
Concerns which is headed by New York based Rabbi Avi Weiss. Protest speakers
included Dr. Jerome Kaufman, National Secretary of the
Zionist Organization of
America. Boycott Watch is looking into this, and plans to post an update
soon. |
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| The Commerce Department's Bureau of
Industry and Security (BIS) administers U.S. antiboycott regulations, which
prohibit U.S. persons from taking actions in support of unsanctioned foreign
government boycotts, including the Arab League boycott of Israel. BIS has a
long record of aggressive enforcement of the antiboycott regulations, with over
$26 million in civil penalties imposed and denials of export privileges where
violations have been found. |
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Sources include:
Zionist Organization of
America;
Betar;
AMCHA - The Coalition for Jewish Concerns;
US
Department of Commerce
Bureau of Industry and Security
http://www.bis.doc.gov/press/2002/UMustComply11_4_02.html |
