Bank of Palestine ends international money transfers
International transfers to charitable organizations in Palestine have been halted on charges of ties with Hamas, affecting the orphans who are reportedly the main beneficiaries.
KHAN YUNIS, Gaza Strip — Banks in the Gaza Strip have refused to publicly disclose the reason behind their policy of not accepting money transfers sent from abroad to charitable and Islamic associations in Gaza. However, since the blockade on Hamas began in 2006, these banks have been afraid of the potential US sanctions they could incur if accused of providing financial facilities for Hamas, which is on the US list of terrorist organizations. In 2013, a US court imposed sanctions on the Arab Bank on charges of providing banking services to Hamas.
Recently, a number of protests against these policies were organized by Islamic charities and held in front of the Bank of Palestine in the Gaza Strip.
