Arab countries to confiscate US dictionary for distortion

Damascus-based Arab League bureau in charge of boycotting business with Israel demanded on Thursday for confiscating copies of a new edition of a US dictionary for distorted definitions of words such as "anti-Semitism," the official SANA news agency reported.

The latest edition of the dictionary "Webster" identified "anti- Semitism" as opposing Zionism and sympathizing with Israel's enemies, which showed "the racial trend and scientific distortion," officials of the Office of the Arab Boycott of Israel (OABI) were quoted as saying.

The confiscation demand was made at the end of the OABI's 74th conference of regional offices, which kicked off here on Monday.

Officials said the office recommended boycotting and confiscating the dictionary until its mistakes are corrected, according to SANA.

They also called upon the European Union not to import products made in Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, terming them as "illegal" under the international law.

"Economic boycott of Israel is a peaceful and legal instrument of resistance. It is considered a strong support for the Palestinian people in their struggle against the Israeli aggression," the officials added.

The OABI was set up in 1951 by the Arab League to boycott companies that do business with Israel from operating in the Arab world. In its heyday, the Arab boycott office blacklisted more than 8,500 companies, including Coca-Cola and Ford Motor Co..

Source: Xinhua