From the inception, the Arab boycott has undoubtedly impaired Israel's economic growth, but it has never been able to thwart that growth altogether. While the actual cost is impossible to quantify, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce estimates that due to the boycott, Israel's annual exports were 10 percent smaller than might otherwise be expected.
Likewise, they calculated that foreign investment in Israel is approximately 10 percent less than might otherwise occur. Yet, bereft of natural resources and forced into economic isolation, Israel is a pioneer in the high-tech field, and has done far better economically than some of the countries that instituted the boycott. Despite the restrictions placed upon it, Israel grew into a technological power, with ties to many countries.
adl.org
International Responses to the Boycott
The United States was the only nation in the world to adopt comprehensive anti-boycott legislation. Since the late 1970’s, the United States successfully enforced anti-boycott legislation prohibiting compliance by American companies and individuals.
As a result of support from American Jewish groups and many in the U.S. business community, the U.S. government has ensured that Americans are not subject to foreign economic coercion. Furthermore, boycotting countries have adjusted restrictive trade demands on American firms to accommodate this U.S. policy. |
