The Arab League announced this afternoon a boycott at all “Zionist” goods and said that its member states would be required to prevent the importation-from Palestine of Jewish manufactures, while non-member Arab nations would be urged to take such action.
Making the announcement, Abdul Rahman Azzam Bey, secretary general of the league, said that the boycott was decided upon following complaints from various Arab states that their economy was being threatened by the industries established in Palestine with Jewish capital “donated to achieve political objectives.” He pointed out that the “Arab countries are compelled to defend themselves by peaceful means in order to maintain Arab sovereignty in Palestine.”
Queried as to what effect the boycott would have upon the 70,000 Arabs employed by Jewish businesses in Palestine, Azzam Bey replied; “The Zionists will be glad of an opportunity to make them emigrate.” He stressed, at the same time, that Jewish enterprises in Arab countries outside of Palestine have nothing to fear, adding that Oriental Jews are “our brothers” and enjoy the same political rights as Arabs.
The official announcement said that since the political objectives of Zionism are the same as the objectives pursued by individual commercial enterprises, and “since Zionist activities cannot be materialized except by the invasion of markets in Arab countries,” the League council had decided on this move. A committee has been appointed to direct the boycott and make suggestions as to how it can be enforced.
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