Human rights watch chides Israeli banks over settlements
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized Israeli banks for financing the construction of settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying that the practice violates human rights.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized Israeli banks for financing the construction of settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying that the practice violates human rights.
In a report published on Wednesday, the rights groups said all five of Israel’s largest banks are involved in the regime’s settlements activities through providing loans and mortgages for their construction in the West Bank.
“By providing services to and in settlements, which are illegal under international humanitarian law (IHL), and partnering with developers in new construction projects, Israeli banks are making existing settlements more sustainable, enabling the expansion of their built-up area and the take-over of Palestinian land, and furthering the de facto annexation of the territory,” the report said, adding, “All of this contributes to serious human rights and IHL abuses.”
Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds during the Six Day War in 1967. It later annexed East Jerusalem al-Quds in a move not recognized by the international community.