Calls for a boycott of American products have spread through Lebanon and other Arab nations amid anger over what is perceived as a pro-Israeli stance in U.S. policies vis-a-vis the Arab-Israeli conflict. Advocated by many private, social and religious organizations under the latest rounds of violence, the boycott took root quickly with the circulation of leaflets and internet messages specifying the companies and products to be shunned.

Information International carried out an opinion poll in May to assess the spectrum of Lebanese boycott activities. A representative sample of 600 people in the Greater Beirut area were surveyed, with a gender distribution of 63% male and 37% female.

American-Lebanese trade

Lebanon imports most of its goods, with the value of imports reaching a total of approximately $7 billion annually versus $700 million in annual exports. The deficit in the trade balance leads to a lower a much lower - and sometimes to an excess in the balance of payments - as a result of money transfer to Lebanon to be used either in high interest T-bills or in real estate investment, in addition to Lebanese expatriates who send transfers as family support or as investments.

In the last seven years, the United States has occupied between the second and fourth positions of importing nations for Lebanon, while exports to the U.S. have held the fourth and seventh positions (see Table 1).

Lebanese public opinion

30.7% of people surveyed have participated in a boycott of certain products or services, with the majority of those shunning products such as Marlboro cigarettes and any other products related to companies that support Israel (see Graphs 1 and 2). The primary reason cited for the boycott was a political agenda (see Graph 3).
 

A change in Lebanese consumer habits as a result of the political situation was detected in the poll. At present, 77.7% of consumers check a product’s place of manufacture before purchasing it. whereas only 59% did so a few moths ago.

70% of Lebanese consumers prefer to buy local rather than foreign products for a variety of reasons. 67% said it helps to stimulate the economy, while 19% believe them to be better products and 8% replied that they are cheaper. Those who prefer to buy foreign products cited better quality (78.5%), greater variety (14%) and more guarantees (1.7%).

The poll also revealed that when purchasing foreign products, 58% of consumers favor products from Arab states, followed by French products (17.3%), U.S. products (13%), products from Germany (4%), Italy (3.3%), the United Kingdom (1.8%), Australia (0.3%) and Israel (0.2%).

While 81% of those surveyed said they were not willing to buy products from companies that support Israel, this figure is reduced to 73% if the local agent is Lebanese (Graph 4) and to 67.5% if the product is a European, rather than an American one.
 

Some of the reasons cited for a boycott of the noted products included a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people (40%), a refusal and demonstration of discontent with American policies because of their support for Israel (36%) and the perception of the U.S. as an enemy that should be boycotted by 24%.

In terms of the consequences of the boycott on American products, 43% believed it would have an adverse effect on the U.S., 46% felt it would have no effect, and 4.4% thought it would have a harmful result on those participating in the boycott.

On the topic of American policies, 55% believed there would be no change in America’s policies as a result of the boycott, while 32% felt it would create change (See Graph 5). The latter were divided among 65% who deemed a change would be positive and 35% who expect it would be negative.

If the boycott fails to change America's policies in the region, 51% of those surveyed believe it would be due to a lack of response by the Arab world, 24% suggest that, more specifically, prices of products would have taken precedence over politics, 15% assume that the boycott would not have been abided by correctly and 10% would blame it on a lack of awareness.

A number of American institutions in Lebanon have also been targeted, according to the poll. 18% of respondents said they have avoided visits to the American University Hospital (AUH), while 29% have steered clear of the American University of Beirut (AUB).

The majority of respondents to this poll (83%) have never visited the United States and of the remaining 17% who have, 30% travelled there for educational purposes, 26% to visit relatives and 22% each for professional and tourism purposes. When asked if they would again make the trip, 58% replied negatively.

With regards to specific policy issues, 57% of respondents believed Arab states should cease buying arms and military equipment from the U.S., while 7% did not have an opinion. 88% believed petrol should be used as a means of international pressure while 1% did not have an opinion on the subject. 50% believed Arabs should cease travel to the U.S., while another 64% believed a policy of engagement would be the best way to win support.