Thursday, July 2, 2009

Dexia Bank decides to stop financing Israeli settlements


"The Belgian-French financial group, Dexia, has declared that it is stopping all financial support to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, through its Israel Branch.

The decision came as an outcome of a tireless campaign in Belgium. The campaign was supported by NGO’s, local authorities, trade unions, political parties in Belgium and several other organizations.

The Bank administration stated that it found out that financing Israeli settlements in the occupied territories violates its own code of ethics, and decided to stop giving loans to Israel.

The Bank was pressured by organizations and institutions active in supporting the legitimate Palestinian rights.

The campaign lasted for one month and resulted in the Bank stopping all finances to Jewish settlements.

Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, stated that the Israel branch of Dexia provides huge loans and grants for settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

This issue pushed 61 Belgium organizations to collect thousands of signatures against the Bank’s conduct. The organizations also published advertisements raising awareness on the issue...."

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