Israeli
exporters complain of
European boycott
May 05, 2002
By Reuters
TEL AVIV - Israel's Manufacturers Association said on Sunday its
members had made dozens of complaints that their goods were being
boycotted in Europe and that clients and suppliers had threatened
not to work with Israeli firms.
The association is calling on the government to provide aid and
guarantees to exporters to bolster the confidence of foreign customers
and suppliers that they are not at risk of suffering financial damage
from working with Israeli companies.
Defense goods, including parts for planes and tanks, were not arriving
from Europe due to claims that arms could not be supplied to a region
where a war was taking place between armed forces and civilians,
the association said, referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In addition, Britain, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland had refused
to issue export certificates for goods that could have military
uses, it said.
The association said foreign customers were not travelling to Israel
because of the security situation, forcing Israeli suppliers to
travel abroad and to substantially reduce prices to prevent business
from being lost.
European buyers were also hesitating to make advance payments for
goods for fear they would not arrive, the association added.
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