The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York, on behalf of its 26-member organizations, congratulated the City Council on the passage today by a vote of 36-0 of an anti-Arab boycott bill. The bill, in effect, prohibits the city from business dealings with companies or contractors that participate in the Arab boycott.
Richard Ravitch, JCRC president, and Jack Elkin, chairman, of the JCRC Committee on the Arab Boycott, expressed appreciation to the City Council leadership and Councilman Herbert Berman who introduced the bill, along with others. They also thanked the Koch Administration for its support. Mayor Edward Koch is expected to sign the bill later this month.
According to the JCRC, today’s vote is the result of efforts that began more than a year ago. The American Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee and the Jewish American Political Reform Committee, together with other member agencies of the JCRC, provided advice and assistance in bringing the bill to fruition.
AN IMPORTANT MORAL MESSAGE
This new law will complement and strengthen federal legislation enacted last year. The JCRC said it also carries “an important moral message” the people and government of New York City will not be party to, nor support those who engage in, discriminatory practices against American citizens or businesses. It is a reaffirmation of the commitment to put an end to bigotry of all kinds and not allow Arab countries to export their hatred to this country.”
Ravitch and Elking noted that “while there was some opposition and apprehension in the business community, we are confident that the bill would prove beneficial to the people of New York and the principles on which our country was founded.”
Judy Rubin of the AJCongress hailed the new legislation, stating: “New York has the right and moral obligation to refrain from doing business with any firm that engages in the malicious practice of blackmail and discrimination inherent in the Arab boycott. We are gratified that by its vote the City Council has once again underscored New York City’s intention not to be victimized by bigotry imported from abroad.”
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