ABSTRACT
The purpose of the Arab boycott and blockade was to isolate Israel politically and economically. Because the Arab governments used the boycott and blockade as a substitute for military invasion it was essential to make it appear that these were in fact effective means of weakening and destroying Israel. Consequently, in the Arab Press and radio, one finds every sign of dissension in Israel, political instability, economic weakness and social tension, seized upon as evidence of the boycott's effects and of the steady deterioration of Israel. As part of the political boycott the Arabs tried to persuade other countries, particularly those newly independent, not to recognize Israel. In the early years the Israelis showed little concern over the boycott. They seldom mentioned it and then only to argue that it had failed because of US grants-in-aid; or that the Arabs would have to drop it because it hurt them more than Israel.
