| Commerce Official
Urges Compliance with Regulations Opposing Boycott of Israel |
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| May 14, 2002 |
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| Commerce Under Secretary for Industry and Security
Kenneth I. Juster today reiterated to U.S. companies that the Department will
vigorously enforce its regulations prohibiting U.S. persons from taking any
action in support of foreign government boycotts against Israel. |
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| "The U.S. Government stands firm in its policy of
opposing restrictive trade practices or boycotts against Israel," Juster said.
"The Commerce Department is committed to using all of its resources to oppose
economic boycotts against Israel and corporations that do business with
Israel." |
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| The Commerce Department's antiboycott regulations are
administered by its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Those regulations
prohibit U.S. persons from taking actions in support of unsanctioned foreign
government boycotts, including the Arab League boycott of Israel. Prohibited
actions include refusing to do business with Israel, refusing to employ
citizens on the basis of race or religion, or furnishing to foreign governments
information about an employee's race or religion, when taken in support of the
boycott. |
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| BIS is closely monitoring recent reports of renewed
calls by certain foreign governments for boycotts of Israeli businesses and
U.S. companies that do business with Israel. BIS has a long record of
aggressive enforcement of the antiboycott regulations with over $26 million in
civil penalties imposed, a criminal conviction, and denials of export
privileges where violations have been found. |
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| Questions concerning Commerce's antiboycott
regulations can be directed to its Office of Antiboycott Compliance by
telephone (202-482-2381) or via email |
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Reprinted from the
US Department of
Commerce
Bureau of Industry and Security
http://www.bis.doc.gov/press/2002/AntiboycottCompliance5_14_02.html |
