| 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 |
