Hapoalim Bank, Israel's largest bank, cut off all its connections with the
Palestinian National Authority (PNA), in the wake of the swearing-in of the
Hamas-led government, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported
yesterday.
Hapoalim Bank, the last Israeli bank having business ties with the
Palestinians, has suspended in the last 24 hours all its connections with the
PNA by ceasing processing the PNA checks and transferring funds, the report
said.
Hapoalim Bank has been the main and almost the only Israeli bank to keep
financial transactions with the PNA since the Islamic Resistance Movement
(Hamas) won the Palestinian legislative elections in January.
The bank's latest move in effect put an end to remaining banking ties between
Israel and the PNA following Hamas' swearing-in last Wednesday.
Referring to Hapoalim's decision, a senior political source in Jerusalem was
quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth as saying that the PNA's financial situation would
"completely deteriorate to total chaos, "adding that the bank "had no other
choice."
According to the report, Hapoalim Bank's transactions with the PNA totals
tens of millions of dollars on average per day.
Following Hamas' rise to power, the bank has decided to cease contact with
the PNA, in accordance with international legislation that prohibits banks from
doing business with organizations and institutions suspected of sponsoring
terrorist activity.
Israeli government, which considers Hamas a terrorist group, has stopped
transferring tax payment collected on behalf of the PNA following Hamas election
victory.