Senate to Hold Hearings on Effect of Arab Anti-israel Boycott on U.S. Firms

Sen. Edmund S, Muskie, Maine Democrat and chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on International Finance, announced today that hearings will be held to examine the effect of the Arab boycott on American commerce. The hearings result from initiatives by Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, and Sen. Harrison A. Williams, Jr., New Jersey Democrat.

Sen. Muskie said his subcommittee would study the effectiveness of the present anti-boycott law “in protecting U.S. trade and businesses against adverse effects from restrictive trade practices or boycotts imposed by foreign countries against other countries friendly to the United States,” Similar hearings will be held by the comparable subcommittee of the House, it was announced last week.

In a speech on the House floor, Rep. William Fitts Ryan, New York Democrat, urged the United States to use its influence to bring an end to Arab boycott pressures against Israel in this country. He pointed out that the Arab boycott affected American businessmen and those of other nations. Attention of Congress was directed by Rep. Ryan to the recent case in which BOAC “bowed to Arab pressure” and withdrew certain flights that previously landed in Israel. “The Secretary of State should immediately notify the British Government of the U.S. strong belief that the BOAC flights be reinstated,” he said.

Referring to the anti-boycott laws adopted by America in 1965, Rep. Ryan said this “must not be merely a symbolic act.” He called for stronger implementation. “If we are successful in the fight against the boycott, we will bring that much closer the day when Israel can celebrate its anniversary in peace,” he declared.