US will fine boycotters of Israel

[So much for capitalism as "market freedom"... I find these laws the piece
refers to quite remarkable; does the bit about "US nationals" mean US
citizens? *I*'m prevented by law from joining a boycott of Israel
organized by the Arab League? Outrageous.]

  From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2403303.stm

US warns companies over Israel boycott

The United States has threatened to fine US companies that take part in an
Arab lead economic boycott of Israel.

"The US government is strongly opposed to restrictive trade practices or
boycotts targeted at Israel," said Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry
and Security Kenneth Juster.

"The Commerce Department is closely monitoring efforts that appear to be
made to reinvigorate the Arab boycott of Israel and will use all of its
resources to vigorously enforce US anti-boycott regulations."

Mr Juster's threat came after 18 of the 22 members of the Arab League
agreed to "reactivate" a half-century-old ban on trade with Israel last
week.

US laws ban the participation by US nationals and companies in
unsanctioned foreign government trade boycotts, especially the Arab
League's boycott of Israel.

The Department of Commerce has issued more than $26m (£16.7m) in fines and
turned down export licences to those found violating the law.

Renewed boycott

"It is necessary to reactivate the Arab boycott of Israel and combat the
importation of Israeli products to Arab countries," said the League after
a meeting of the Boycott Office of Israel (BOI).

League members Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania - which maintain diplomatic
ties with Israel - and Somalia did not attend the meeting.

"The economic boycott of Israel is a peaceful, legal and noble means of
struggle against the enemy and is aimed at preserving security and peace,"
the League said in a statement after the meeting.

Most Arab countries softened their stance after the Gulf War 10 years ago
and the launch of the Middle East peace process.

The BOI met again for the first time in eight years last October, when it
drew up a list of 15 firms to be black-listed, but the list remained
unpublished.

The next meeting will take place in the Syrian capital, Damascus, in
April.