UK Pro-Palestine Voices Say Banks Are Cutting Them Off
A growing number of pro-Palestine activists, politicians and media organisations in the UK say they have been “debanked”, raising concerns that financial services are being used to restrict political expression.
Emma Kamio, the mother of imprisoned Palestine Action activist Leona “Ellie” Kamio, said Lloyds refused her a mortgage because of “adverse media”. Her daughter’s bank accounts had also been closed while she was awaiting trial.
Politician and broadcaster George Galloway said Bank of Scotland, owned by Lloyds Banking Group, closed his personal account after 39 years without giving him an explanation. He said his pensions and family mortgage were linked to the accounts.
The left-wing news outlet The Canary has also said Lloyds closed its accounts without explaining why. Writer Tariq Ali separately said an unnamed bank refused to receive a transfer because of his political opinions, which he said related to Palestine.
The cases have prompted accusations that banking restrictions are becoming a tool of political pressure. Some of those affected argue that financial institutions should not be able to penalise people or organisations because of their political views.
