Saudi Arabia has agreed to lift certain aspects of its boycott against Israel in attempt to satisfy US demands regarding the Saudi request to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). An agreement between trade representatives of US and Saudi Arabia was signed last week. As part of this agreement, the Saudi government declares it will not enforce a boycott against American firms that have trade relations with Israel.

The Saudis also commit themselves to obeying WTO trade rules in regard to all member countries of the organization, including Israel. This does not mean that Saudi Arabia is abandoning the Arab boycott against Israel, but it does limit the scope of the boycott.

"This [agreement] represents progress for Saudi Arabia, the US and the WTO", said a statement put out Friday by US trade representative Rob Portman.

One of the conditions set by the US for signing a trade agreement with Saudi Arabia was abandoning the boycott against Israel and the final wording of the agreement is a result of lengthy negotiations on this issue.

A group of 47 US congressmen sent a letter to president Bush, calling upon him not to sign a new agreement with Saudi Arabia before the boycott issue is resolved. The lawmakers also said the US should use this moment to demand Saudi actions in the fields of human rights and religious freedom...