The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI) reported today that compliance with the Arab boycott of Israel is more complete in Holland than in any other Western European country. The CIDI released the names of 13 large Dutch firms dealing with Arab countries that adhere strictly to the boycott demands. It noted, at the same time, that Dutch firms that do not yield have not suffered as a result.
According to the report, The Netherlands Government has taken virtually no measures against the boycott. The sole exception is an order issued by the Minister of Interior several months ago that forbade municipalities to register certificates stating that an applicant to do business with an Arab country was not Jewish.
But Dutch firms exporting goods to Arab countries provide the so-called negative certificates of origin which state that the goods contain no components made in Israel. The certificates are legalized by the Ministry for Economic Affairs. Many firms also comply with Arab demands to state that employes sent to Arab countries are not Jewish and that the firms have no Jews among their directors.
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