Denmark's largest bank blacklists Israel's Hapoalim over settlement construction

[Jefferson23]

Danske Bank states Bank Hapoalim is acting against the rules of international humanitarian law; bank already pulled investments from two Israeli firms.
By Barak Ravid | Feb. 1, 2014 |

Denmark's largest bank decided to blacklist Bank Hapoalim because of its involvement in the funding of settlement construction.

Danske Bank added Bank Hapoalim to its list of companies in which the company cannot invest due to its corporate accountability rules.

In an announcement posted on its website, the bank stated that Bank Hapoalim was acting against the rules of international humanitarian law.

Israeli website Walla reported on the Danish bank's decision earlier on Saturday.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.571849

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

1. From the article.

According to the announcement, the Ministry of Finance received a recommendation on November 1 from the Council of Ethics to exclude the two companies from the fund "due to contribution to serious violations of individual rights in war or conflict through the construction of settlements in East Jerusalem."

The comments, mashing of teeth and renting of garments at the site a re a hoot. "Anti-Semitism! Let's Punish the Jews!"

Perhaps the commenters should consider for a moment that the IDF, and their masters, now wear the mantle of oppressor.

The Palestinians have become the victims of the victims.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

2. For all the cries against BDS here. One must wonder why the whiners

are so silent on such an important story. Perhaps it is more fear of other DUers reading it and understanding what is going on with the boycott movement?

[Jefferson23]

3. Ironically, it is Kerry that is threatening Bibi with it..you better cut out the bullshit.

Or else....

I say ironically b/c Bibi was presented a formula where they pretty much get everything
he wants, but he is using others in his Likud group to push back. They are probably
pretty boiled over that the US wants this deal, quick.

Bibi is a man who imo, would have preferred to coast on the status quo, but he'll
take the deal in the end...it appears that way, so far. Or at least until he can
get the Palestinians to look as if it is their fault if it falls apart.

BDS is being used, but in truth, it's being used to get Israel a good deal...which is tragic., imho.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. Things aren't over until they're over.

If Bibi and gang manage to scuttle this deal, or if it comes out as being too painful for the Palestinians to stomach then the international community may weigh in against Israel.

I agree it is tragic.

[Jefferson23]

5. We'll see. Right now, the settlers advocates are still going after Kerry:

Settler advocacy group posts video mocking Kerry
An Israeli pro-settlement advocacy group posted a parody video this week portraying U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as someone who is willing to write off Israel's security and its claims to sacred sites in order to reach any solution he can on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The YouTube video, which features Kerry offering to build a new Western Wall near the beach and replacing the army with a camera that would shame terrorists instead of killing them, is one of a series produced by My Israel, a nationalist advocacy group that works with the Yesha Council of settlements to put out a right-wing pro-Israel message on social media.

The latest video comes amid recent opposition in Israel to Kerry’s efforts to achieve a peace agreement, including 11 visits to the region in the past year. Earlier this week, A group of rabbis warned Kerry in a letter to cease his pursuit of the peace process between or face divine retribution. In January, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon’s called Kerry “obsessive and messianic." He subsequently apologized for “insulting” the Secretary of State. Kerry was also criticized by cabinet ministers this week after saying at security conference in Munich that Israel could face growing international boycotts if peace talks with the Palestinians fail.

In the video, a man playing Kerry is shown touring the Western Wall. Taking a stab at the claims of other religions on the site, he says it is holy to "Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Klingons and hobbits," and then offers to replace it. "What I'm saying is, why fight over an old wall? I'll build you a brand-new wall, close to the beach," he says.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.572673

#t=0

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

6. This reminds me of a very well-worn quote.

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -
~Mahatma Gandhi

It appears that the settlers have reached stage three and two prospectively.