The State Department today expressed disapproval of the refusal by Arab states to grant visas to Americans of Jewish faith, and reported that the Arab League is conducting a boycott against U.S. business firms trading with Israel.
State Department spokesman Joseph Reap said the United States Government “disapproves” of the discrimination by a number of Arab countries against American Jews seeking visas. However, he declined to say the United States protested to the Arab countries against such regulations. State Department sources pointed out that America cannot be strongly critical of the visa policies of foreign nations at a time when other countries are finding fault with U.S. visa restrictions.
Mr. Reap said the State Department had no information on reports that U.S. business firms this week received Saudi Arabian communications that sought to determine if such firms had Jewish officers. He said that no firms reported on this to the Department or sought guidance. “The Department,” he stated, “is aware that the Arab League nations are conducting a boycott of firms which do business with Israel, and that certain nations, of which Saudi Arabia is one, have regulations which prohibit the granting of visas to persons of the Jewish faith.”
“When and if cases arise affecting American citizens under these laws, the Department and its representatives abroad stress to the foreign nations that we do not recognize such distinction among our citizens. However, the problems raised by these laws are difficult because the nations which enact them have the sovereign right to regulate both their commerce and the admission of foreigners.” Mr. Reap declared.
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