Israel Discount Bank will deny credit to clients that act in discriminatory manner
Microsoft, Wiz among businesses expressing concern incoming government will seek to amend laws allowing firms to refuse services if it violates their religious beliefs
Israeli tech firms and financial institutions are joining an effort started by Israel Discount Bank to clearly voice their opposition to discrimination amid growing concern that the incoming coalition government will enact changes to allow the use of discriminatory practices.
Israel Discount Bank on Sunday announced that its board of directors accepted a recommendation by the bank’s management to update its credit policy to reflect that the bank will not grant credit to any business or organization that acts in a discriminatory manner or discriminates against customers on the basis of religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
“We found it appropriate to amend the bank’s credit policy, so that what is already obvious will now become official,” said Israel Discount Bank chairman Shaul Kobrinsky. “According to the policy, Discount Bank will not grant credit to businesses or entities that discriminate against customers in the State of Israel.”
“This is our commitment and responsibility as a significant business entity within the Israeli economy,” Kobrinsky added.
Discount Bank’s statement comes in response to an apparent coalition agreement between the Religious Zionism and Likud parties, which includes a clause stipulating that the incoming government will seek to amend discrimination laws to allow business owners to refuse to provide a service if it violates their religious beliefs. The deal has yet to be officially signed.
Meanwhile, incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied that his coalition would allow such a law to pass.
The law as it stands forbids discrimination by those providing public services or products on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and other similar considerations, and anyone doing so is liable to be fined.
Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk, corporate vice president at tech giant Microsoft Corp., warned that discourse that encourages racism and discrimination of any kind has no place in a civilized society.
“Microsoft is a diverse home where racism does not enter,” Braverman-Blumenstyk wrote in a statement on her LinkedIn page. “The reason for the company’s success is diversity: I walk around the corridors of Microsoft every day and see wonderful employees – Jews, Arabs, ultra-Orthodox, secular, LGBT, women and men – working side by side in brotherhood, professionalism, against the background of the basic understanding that everyone is equal.”
“Israel is a democratic and moral state and must remain one,” declared Braverman-Blumenstyk, who is also general manager of Microsoft Israel’s Research & Development Center.
Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz on Monday announced that any company that wants to do business with the startup will need to comply with its non-discrimination policy.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-discount-bank-will-deny-credit-to-clients-that-act-in-discriminatory-manner/