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Joining in the Arab boycott of Israel is
Illegal
By Fred Taub
November 11, 2002
Boycott Watch has
conducted a study of the Arab boycott of Israel to determine merit, and came to
a stunning revelation: US anti-boycott laws specifically forbid people in the
US from joining into the Arab League boycott of Israel.
The antiboycott laws were adopted to encourage, and
in specified cases, require U.S. firms to refuse to participate in foreign
boycotts that the United States does not sanction. They have the effect of
preventing U.S. firms from being used to implement foreign policies of other
nations which run counter to U.S. policy.
The
antiboycott laws specifically refer to boycotts involving foreign governments
against another foreign government and participation of people in the US in
those boycotts. This law does not apply to vast majority of boycotts, such as
boycotts established in the US against US companies, products or services.
The Arab League boycott of Israel is the principal
foreign economic boycott that U.S. companies must be concerned with today. The
antiboycott laws, however, apply to all boycotts imposed by foreign countries
that are unsanctioned by the United States.
The
antiboycott provisions of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) apply to
all "U.S. persons," defined to include individuals and companies located in the
United States and their foreign affiliates. These persons are subject to the
law when their activities relate to the sale, purchase, or transfer of goods or
services (including information) within the United States or between the U.S.
and a foreign country. This covers U.S. exports and imports, financing,
forwarding and shipping, and certain other transactions that may take place
wholly offshore.
As such, Boycott Watch has
concluded that the individuals and companies participating in the Arab League
boycott of Israel are committing felonies as defined by the provisions in the
law.
Based upon US law, Boycott Watch has concluded
that taking part in or promoting Arab League boycott of Israel is against the
best interests of the United States and is also a felony. As Americans, we
strongly discourage participation in the Arab League boycott of Israel and
specifically recommend the purchase of Israel goods and services to counter the
illegal boycott by supporters of the Arab League.
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