Israeli businessman Roman Abramovich and ZAKA filed a lawsuit last month against Mizrahi Tefahot Bank over the bank's refusal to transfer an eight-million shekel donation to ZAKA for their wartime activities. Today (Thursday), the first hearing was held in the Tel Aviv District Court, in which Judge Yardena Seroussi noted that she was inclined to approve Mr. Abramovich's request to transfer the donation to ZAKA.
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According to the lawsuit, the bank's refusal is because Abramovich's account is blocked due to sanctions imposed on him by the European Union and the British government, and therefore, according to the bank, no action can be taken on it. In response to the bank's arguments, the judge noted that this was a case in which a request was received to transfer funds from one bank account in Israel to another bank account in Israel: "Is it reasonable that the bank comes and adopts undisputed European sanctions that do not apply to Israel? Especially if it's a donation to an NGO that helps the State of Israel in its difficult hour? The blanket refusal is unreasonable."
The judge added: "You claim that the bank respects the sanctions regime, but in such a case it is possible to make an exception. Here we are talking about funds in a closed box in Israel that remain in Israel and for a very worthy and important purpose, especially today. Why should this spoil the bank's reputation?" At the end of her remarks, the judge recommended that the bank approve Mr. Abramovich's request, noting that she was inclined to approve the request to transfer the donation to ZAKA.
I want to have the opportunity to continue contributing to Israeli society. Abramovich during his visit to Gaza village last November,
Roman Abramovich's attorneys, Adv. Shmulik Cassuto and Adv. Bella Peled, noted during the hearing that this was absurd: "The bank that is located in Israel, the sanctions do not apply to it, and the account does not have sanctions, yet the bank applies them sweepingly. The Israeli government has consciously decided not to join Europe's sanctions, and what is the bank doing? He applies the sanctions more sweepingly, even from those in the UK."
"The sanctions regime imposed by Europe does not apply in Israel and cannot be sweeping, especially in light of the fact that no sanctions are imposed on Abramovich in Israel, and his request is to transfer Israeli money for philanthropic purposes in Israeli territory. We demand that Mizrahi Tefahot Bank be obliged to transfer the donation immediately."
During the discussion, Roman Abramovich's representative spoke about the connection forged between the businessman and philanthropist and ZAKA when he visited the village of Gaza after the Hamas attack: "Shortly after the terrible massacre on October 7, I accompanied Mr. Abramovich to the Gaza Strip border and to a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Azza, in order to see firsthand what really happened. We met ZAKA volunteers there in the midst of gathering and collecting the findings of the fallen soldiers, and spoke with them in one of the kibbutz's homes while they cleaned the remaining blood from the floor of the family home. We were all deeply moved by their dedication to give true kindness to the victims of this horrific massacre, when ZAKA approached us to donate to them, Mr. Abramovich immediately decided he wanted to help."
ZAKA volunteers evacuating bodies in the kibbutzim surrounding the Gaza Strip, photo: ZAKA Spokesperson's Office
It was also noted that Mr. Abramovich has been working with charities in Israel for 20 years and wants to have the opportunity to continue contributing to Israeli society, especially now that the country is at war and facing an unprecedented challenge. Carsten Zetschler, a senior lawyer and expert on EU law, said: "Mizrahi Bank is wrong in its presentation of the recent decision of the General Court of the European Union to uphold the sanctions against Mr. Abramovich. The European court's decision to keep the sanctions in place has nothing to do with any connection Mr. Abramovich has with the Russian government, or, as the bank falsely claimed, that Mr. Abramovich allegedly profited financially from any connection to the Russian government."
ZAKA volunteers near the Gaza Strip, photo: ZAKA
"The sanctions imposed on Mr Abramovich have never been justified due to a direct link to the war, and no such arguments have been presented by the EU in court. The EU court's decision to maintain the sanctions was based solely on the court's designation of Mr. Abramovich as a 'Russian businessman' because of his shares in Evraz, which under today's broad EU regulations is reason enough to remain under sanctions."
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