In December 2008, two leading Israeli banks said they would end cash
transfers to the Gaza Strip. Bank Discount and Bank Hapoalim have been sued
in an Israeli court on allegations of supporting the Hamas regime, regarded
as a terrorist entity by Israel and the United States. On Jan. 1, the two
banks refused a request by Fischer to transfer an unspecified amount of
money to the Gaza Strip.
"The transfer of cash to Gaza, therefore, gravely endangers the security
of Israeli citizens, and especially that of those who live in Sderot,
Ashkelon and the communities around Gaza," the suit against the banks by the
Israel Law Center said.
Israel Law Center director Nitsana Darshan-Leitner said the Postal Bank
faces a lawsuit in both Israel and abroad should it comply with the
government directive. Ms. Darshan-Leitner said the Postal Bank was being
forced to support the Hamas regime.
"It is very grave that even now, during the war with Hamas, Stanley
Fischer continues to insist on the transfer of money to Gaza," Ms.
Darshan-Leitner said. "The guarantee it requested from the government won't
save it from criminal trials or from a court ruling that it provided banking
services to a terrorist organization."
