Protests Against French Policies

Representatives of American Jewish organizations have protested to the French Embassy officials over the government’s suspension of a law adopted by the French Parliament last June barring discrimination in Franco-Arab trade on the basis of race, religion or national origin. The French government ruled, in effect, that French businesses could comply with the Arab boycott against Israel despite the legislation.

Max Kampleman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, David Brody of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, Hyman Bookbinder of the American Jewish Committee and Joel Levy of the American Jewish Congress expressed the Jewish community’s concern to the French Embassy charge d’affaires, Pierre Boyer, and the Embassy Counsellor, Claude Erervrier. The two French officials said they would convey the views to the government in Paris.

The Jewish representatives, during their 30-minute meeting, also referred to the French government’s release last January of Abu Daoud, the Arab terrorist, as another example of the French government’s actions which have upset Israel. Rabbi Alexander Schindler, chairman of the Conference of President, also reported that in addition to the meeting in Washington, a Conference delegation has met with Daniel Husson, French deputy-consul in New York.

In a separate action, the ADL has sent a cablegram to French Prime Minister Raymond Barre urging him to reconsider his directive of suspending the anti-boycott measure. “By singling out Israel alone for exclusion from its provisions, a law directed against discrimination now itself becomes discriminatory,” said the cable signed by ADL national chairman Burton Joseph.