visimoney
TL;DR:
- The Israeli government-owned Postal Bank has closed the account of David Chai Hasdai, a settler who was included in the list of American sanctions
- This comes after a similar move by Bank Leumi
- The Bank of Israel has issued a statement supporting Bank Leumi’s decision to comply with the sanctions
The Israeli government-owned Postal Bank has closed the account of David Chai Hasdai, a West Bank settler who was included in the list of American sanctions, a day after a similar move by Bank Leumi. The Bank of Israel has issued a statement backing Bank Leumi’s decision to comply with the sanctions. This move comes in response to the anti-settlement provisions in the recently passed US spending bill, which prohibits financial transactions with Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The closure of Hasdai’s account is the latest action taken by Israeli banks to comply with US sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Last week, Bank Leumi announced that it would be closing the accounts of several settlers in compliance with the US spending bill. The move has sparked controversy in Israel, with some criticizing the banks for enforcing foreign policy decisions and others commending them for following international law.
The American sanctions have put Israeli banks in a difficult position, as they are now required to choose between complying with US law or potentially facing penalties from the Israeli government. The Bank of Israel’s statement in support of Bank Leumi’s decision suggests that compliance with the sanctions is the preferred option.
The closure of settler accounts has raised concerns about the impact on the Israeli economy and on the settlers themselves. Some argue that the closures could lead to a loss of business for Israeli banks and create issues for settlers who rely on these accounts for their daily financial transactions. Others argue that the closures are a necessary step towards ending Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and holding individuals accountable for their actions.
There are also concerns about the potential for discrimination, as the closures only apply to settler accounts and not to accounts held by Israeli citizens in other parts of the country. Critics argue that this selective enforcement of the sanctions is unfair and could target individuals based on their political beliefs or ethnicity.
Overall, the closure of settler accounts by Israeli banks in compliance with US sanctions is a significant development in the ongoing debate over Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank. The move raises questions about the role of Israeli banks in enforcing foreign policy decisions and highlights the challenges they face in navigating between US and Israeli law. It also underscores the broader debate over the legality and morality of Israeli settlements and the potential consequences of international pressure on Israeli policy.
