Following is the text of a May 14 Commerce Department statement in which Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Kenneth I. Juster said the U.S. government will enforce regulations prohibiting U.S. persons from supporting foreign government boycotts against Israel:

May 14, 2002 202-482-2721
www.bis.doc.gov

COMMERCE OFFICIAL URGES COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS OPPOSING BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

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.

"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."

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.

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.

Questions concerning Commerce's antiboycott regulations can be directed to its Office of Antiboycott Compliance by telephone (202-482-2381) or via email (http://www.bxa.doc.gov/Forms/OACInquiryForm.html).