Oman Customs Official: "No, no. Products from Israel are not permitted because of the boycott"
In his continuing series of articles on the Arab boycott of Israel, Jerusalem Post reporter Michael Freund reports today that the Government of Oman continues to prohibit Israeli-made goods from entering the country. The article notes that only "five months after signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the U.S., Oman continues to restrict the import of Israeli-made goods despite a pledge made to the U.S. that it would not boycott the Jewish state." The article quotes Oman's most senior customs official as saying: "No, no. Products from Israel are not permitted because of the boycott" and "if someone brings products from Israel, they will be confiscated." The customs official added that "even catalogs of commercial products that mention Israel would likely be seized by Omani customs authorities."In the January 16, 2006 press release announcing the signing of the U.S.-Oman FTA, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative stated that "Oman does not apply the Arab League boycott of Israel nor does it have any law establishing the primary, secondary or tertiary boycott of Israel." House and Senate Committees have recently voted in favor of approving the U.S.-Oman FTA.
The Jerusalem Post has reported that the White House and Congress are not pleased that Bahrain, Iraq and Saudi Arabia continue to enforce the boycott of Israel despite their promises to the contrary.
Labels: Boycotts