JUSTER URGES COMPLIANCE WITH ANTIBOYCOTT RULES FOR ISRAEL

JUSTER URGES COMPLIANCE WITH ANTIBOYCOTT RULES FOR ISRAEL    Kenneth I. Juster, U.S. Commerce undersecretary for industry and security, said the government will “vigorously enforce” its rules prohibiting U.S. shippers from taking any action to support 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 is closely following reports about renewed calls by certain foreign governments to boycott Israeli businesses and U.S. companies that do business with Israel.
   The Commerce Department’s antiboycott rules are enforced by its Bureau of Industry and Security (formerly Bureau of Export Enforcement). Those regulations prohibit U.S. shippers from taking action in support of unsanctioned foreign boycotts, such as 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 providing foreign governments information about an employee’s race or religion, when taken in support of the boycott.
   The Bureau of Industry and Security has a long record of aggressive enforcement of antiboycott regulations with more than $26 million in civil penalties imposed, a criminal conviction, and denials of export privileges where violations have been found.