Reactions to the Arab Boycott
(June 21, 1971)
Most States rejected the doctrine and practice of the boycott. Following are two examples of the British and United States Governments' reaction to the boycott:
a. "The attitude of the British Government to the Arab boycott is well-known and has been reiterated many times in public statements. We neither accept nor condone the primary boycott of Israel and are opposed to the secondary boycott. It is therefore part of our policy not to have any official dealings with the Central Boycott Office in Damascus or with any of the Regional Offices, including the one in Beirut. This has always been our policy towards the boycott, and I can assure you that it remains unchanged today."
(From a letter of Mr. G. 0. Roberts, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to Israel's Ambassador in London, 20 June 1969)
b. "It has been the consistent policy of the U.S. Government not to afford the Arab boycott official recognition. We have opposed it, sought to have some of the more objectionable features revised or eliminated, and have extended every possible assistance to U.S. companies requesting help in protecting their business interests against the boycott.
"The Department of Commerce also has repeatedly reminded U.S. exporters that under the Export Administration Act of 1969 (formerly the Export Control Act of 1949), they are encouraged to refuse to co-operate with such boycotts and that they must promptly report any boycott requests to the Department."
(From a statement by Mr. Harold Scott, Director, Bureau of International Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce, 30 July 1970)
Download our mobile app for on-the-go access to the Jewish Virtual Library
