German bank freezes account of anti-Zionist Jewish association

By Bahattin Gonultas

BERLIN (AA) - A bank in Germany froze the account of the anti-Zionist Jewish association Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East on Wednesday and requested a list of its members and their addresses.

The association said that Berliner Sparkasse blocked their account without prior notice for updating customer information.

The bank said in a letter to the association's board that the move was "precautionary" and requested various documents, including a list of its members' names and addresses to be submitted by April 5.

The association questioned the bank's authority to freeze accounts without explanation, highlighting the unusual request for the list.

It suggested that such a demand resembles inquiries made by intelligence agencies or police exerting political pressure on the Jewish association.

The association’s account was closed in 2019 due to pressure from the Central Council of Jews in Germany, it noted.

It highlighted the increasing political persecution amid diminishing global support for Israel's policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

Despite lacking broad public support, Germany remains a "strong ally of Israel," collaborating on controversial policies, it said.

The statement highlighted that the timing of the account blockage by Berliner Sparkasse coincided with plans for a "Palestine Congress" in Berlin from April 12-14 aimed at raising awareness about ongoing Israeli military violations in Gaza and Germany's role in the conflict.

Conventional methods like cancellations or denials of venues would not work against the congress’s organizers, who claim to be "politically independent," it said.

The congress's finances, generated through ticket sales and donations, were the reason behind opening the account, leading to its blocking.

Despite the potential loss of the account, the organization remains "undeterred," saying their stance against genocide stems from Jewish values and is not reliant on financial resources. Membership continues to grow despite pressure.

The organization is pursuing legal action against the arbitrary and politically motivated account blockage, deemed "unacceptable in a democracy."

Previously, the association protested Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in a demonstration held in Berlin.