HAARETZ
by Barak Ravid
October 6, 2014
SWIFT rejects pressures to disconnect Israeli banks from its networks
The SWIFT international banking network on Monday published a special announcement in which it rejected calls by pro-Palestinian organizations to disconnect Israeli banks from its networks due to the occupation on the West Bank and Israel’s alleged war crimes during the course of Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip.
“SWIFT and its stakeholders have received calls to disconnect institutions and entire countries from its network,” according to the announcement. “SWIFT services are designed to facilitate its customers’ compliance with sanctions and other regulations, however SWIFT will not make unilateral decisions to disconnect institutions from its network as a result of political pressure.
“SWIFT regrets the pressure, as well as the surrounding media speculation, both of which risk undermining the systemic character of the services that SWIFT provides its customers around the world. As a utility with a systemic global character, it has no authority to make sanctions decisions…..
ArchitectGuy on Israel 