Arab delegates meet in Syria to discuss boycott of Israel

Delegates to a Syrian-based anti-Israel office began talks here Monday on ways to revive momentum for the Arabs' boycott of the Jewish state. Eight Arab countries stayed away from the four-day meeting, including Egypt and Jordan which have signed peace treaties with Israel. Those attending the gathering, held twice a year at the headquarters of the Central Boycott Office in Damascus, included delegates from 14 Arab states and Palestinian territories. Topping the agenda was the boycott of companies that do business with Israel and ways to abort attempts by some Israeli companies to penetrate Arab markets.