Conference taveng::bagels

1018.0. "WJC Denounces Matsushita Takeover" by PACKER::PACKER::JULIUS () Thu Dec 27 1990 20:18

from 'The Jewish Reporter' January, 1991

WJC Denounces Matsushita Takeover

Charging that Japan's Matsushita Electric Company is a "slavish
adherent of the Arab-led economic boycott of Israel," the World
Jewish Congress sharply criticized the impending purchase of 
MCA Inc., the American entertainment company, by Matsushita.

"The Jewish community is deeply concerned over Matsushita's
discriminatory policies," WJC President Edgar Bronfman said.

In compliance with the Arab boycott - which was instituted to
weaken Israel's economy - Matsushita obeys restrictions which 
prohibit the electronics firm from opening stores or production
facilities in Israel.  Thus, Panasonic products are only
available in Israel by way of third-party American distributors.

"Matsushita's discriminatory policies are not only reprehensible
on ethical grounds but contradicts the bedrock principle of free
and open trade between nations.  Moreover, under American law,
participation in the Arab boycott is illegal.  Companies have been
barred from participating in the boycott since 1977 under the 
federal Export-Import Act of that year.

The question arises whether Matsushita in continuation of its
boycott policy would, if it succeeds in its takeover bid, bar the
sale of MCA's movies and television shows to Israel."

"Japan has followed the dictates of the Arab boycott more closely
than any other industrialized country," the WJC charged.  
Accordingly in the next few weeks we will begin an action-oriented
campaign aimed at exposing the dimensions of Japan's compliance 
with the boycott and looking at measures to counter it."

A preliminary list of major Japanese companies boycotting Israel 
includes:  Toyota, Nissan, Toshiba, Hitachi, Mazda, and Casio.

(see also Note 658 for related issues)

\B

    from  'The Jewish Reporter' June, 1991
    
    Toyota to Sell Cars in Israel
    
    The Anti-Defamation League today welcomed the Toyota Motor Company's
    decision to sell cars in Israel "as a constructive step toward 
    enhancing trade relations between the two democracies."
    
    Today's announcement reverses Toyota's policy of not selling cars
    to Israel.
    
    In a letter today to Toyota President Shoichiro Toyoda, ADL National
    Director Abraham H. Foxman said he hopes that other Japanese 
    companies will follow Toyota's lead, adding that "such initiatives 
    will contribute to the search for peace and stability in the 
    region."
    
    "Efforts by Arab states to enforce the economic boycott of Israel
    are destructive politically and harmful to the creation of a world
    marked by free trade," Foxman said.  "For decades," the ADL leader
    pointed out, "the Arab states have used the boycott to advance 
    their hostile intentions to undermine Israel's viability as a
    sovereign state and to cast it as a pariah in the international
    sphere!"