Browser removing + from request parameter

I'm trying to pass an SQL query string from a Java Applet to Servlet as a parameter.

Problem is that in Applet I have something say: sql=select * from p where(+p=1)

The resulting sql parameter in the Servlet is sql=select * from p where(+p=1).

So anyone knows how to prevent the browser from removing the + character from parameters?

Is there a escape character?