19/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The permanent council of the Arab League (permanent high representatives) met in Cairo on Wednesday where it decided to relaunch its boycott of Israeli goods and any foreign company considered to be strengthening Israel's power, indicated Syria's official press agency, reporting that the council called on all Arab countries to take part in the next meeting of the Arab bureau organising the Israeli boycott in Damascus at the end of April, thereby complying with the decisions taken at the Beirut Summit concerning the breaking off of relations with Israel and relaunching the Israel boycott bureau. The boycott was announced following the creation of the sate of Israel, but was not accepted by Western countries. It has been sharply criticised around the world and various proceedings against it were considered in the past in Europe, with the European Commission calling for its abolition on several occasions. The issue faded into the background when the Middle East peace process was launched, especially since it was only fully applied by Syria.