ADL Charges Florida Firm Cooperating with Arab Discrimination Policies in Recruitment of Workers

The Florida regional office of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith has charged that a Florida company with construction interests in the Middle East is cooperating with Arab discrimination policies in its recruitment of employes. ADL regional board chairman George Bernstein announced at a press conference here that the ADL will file a formal charge of discrimination in employment against McGraw & Associates of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Bernstein said McGraw & Associates placed an advertisement in a Florida newspaper for “immediate job opportunities in (the) Middle East” on a $70 million project. The advertisement warned potential applicants: “We trust that you are aware of the discrimination policies of the Arab world before replying to this ad.” Some Arab countries bar Jews from entry and the advertisement clearly is in response to this policy. Bernstein said.

Arthur Teitlebaum, ADL’s southern area director, said the advertisement is a “blatant and shocking violation of federal law, specifically provisions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.” Describing the ad as a “shameful capitulation by an American company to the discriminatory policies of the Arab states,” he said such employment practices are a threat to every American worker’s right to be employed without regard to religious beliefs.

Teitlebaum said ADL is now in the process of preparing its complaint, which will be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Bernstein stated, “we cannot tolerate efforts by Arab governments to encourage and procure American firms to violate the laws of the United States. This represents a totally unacceptable interference by foreign governments which subvert the rights of American citizens and our system of justice.”