MORE than 70 trade unions, charities, and community groups have called for a Scottish pro-Palestine group's bank account to be unfrozen.
The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC), which lobbies for the support of Palestinians, said it had its funds frozen by Unity Trust Bank last month following the proscription of Palestine Action.
The direct action group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government under anti-terrorism laws in July in a move which drew international condemnation, including from the UN.
It is understood that the SPSC website had a link to donate to Palestine Action, which was removed after the proscription. However, the group's account remains frozen as a result.
An open letter from Unity Trust Bank’s business customers – including branches of the unions Unison, Unite, Stand Up To Racism and the Trade Unions Council (TUC) – has urged the bank to unfreeze SPSC’s account.
The letter states: “For years, Unity Trust has marketed itself as an 'ethical bank,' committed to social justice and positive impact.
“However, this recent action against SPSC undermines this self-professed commitment and aligns the bank with those who seek to silence legitimate criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.
“This move does not reflect the values of transparency, fairness, or ethical banking.”
Along with demanding the unfreezing of the account, the letter also calls on Unity Trust Bank to investigate the circumstances around the decision to freeze SPSC’s account and to clarify if there were any third parties involved with the decision.
The letter also urges the bank to take into consideration that a link was “voluntarily removed” from the SPSC’s website to Palestine Action prior to the group’s proscription.
“The response will determine whether we continue to trust and support an institution that claims to be ethical,” the letter concluded.
“If Unity is unable to fulfil these demands and provide suitable assurances, we will be forced to reconsider our relationship and begin seeking alternative banking options.”
Hussein Ezzedine, trade union officer at Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said the list of signatures shows the “growing recognition” of the crackdown on dissent in the UK.
He said the SPSC "expresses gratitude to the many organisations demanding Unity Trust unfreeze our funds".
“The growing list of unions and progressive groups reflects a growing recognition of the crackdown on dissent in the UK.”
Ezzedine added: “From the criminalisation of ideas to narrative delegitimisation, increased scrutiny and repression, defenders of the genocidal state will stop at nothing to preserve support for Israel’s unlawful actions in Palestine.
“The denial of banking facilities is part of this strategy—but we must not bow to intimidation. We call on more organisations to add their names in solidarity, and for Unity Trust to release our funds with immediate effect.”
Unity Trust Bank have been approached for comment.
