Sharon Wrobel is a technical reporter for The Times of Israel.
Israeli tech corporations and monetary institutions are joining an effort presented through the Discount Bank of Israel to make their opposition to discrimination transparent amid growing fears that the new coalition government will adopt changes to allow discriminatory practices.
Israel Discount Bank announced on Sunday that its board of trustees had agreed to a board of the bank’s control to update its lending policy to reflect that the lender would extend increased credit to any company or organization that discriminates or discriminates against consumers on the basis of religion. race, gender, or sexual orientation.
“We have seen fit to replace the bank’s lending policy, so that what is already evident now becomes official,” said Israel Discount Bank Chairman Shaul Kobrinsky. “According to the policy, the Discount Bank will grant increased credit to corporations or entities that discriminate against consumers in the State of Israel. “
“This is our commitment and duty as a commercial entity within the Israeli economy,” Kobrinsky added.
The discount bank comes as a reaction to an obvious coalition agreement between devout Zionism and Likud parties, which includes a clause stating that the new government will seek to replace anti-discrimination legislation to allow business owners to refuse to provide a service if it violates their devout beliefs. The agreement has not yet been officially signed.
Meanwhile, incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that his coalition allowed the passage of such a law.
The law, as recently drafted, prohibits discrimination by those offering public services or products on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other similar considerations, and anyone who does so will be subject to a fine.
Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk, vice president of tech giant Microsoft Corp. , warned that speech that encourages racism and discrimination of any kind has no place in a civilized society.
“Microsoft is a varied house where racism doesn’t come in,” Braverman-Blumenstyk wrote on her LinkedIn page. “The reason the company’s good fortune is diversity: I walk the halls of Microsoft every day and see glorious workers. – Jews, Arabs, ultra-Orthodox, secularists, LGBT, women and men – going through aspect by aspect in brotherhood, professionalism, opposed to the background of the fundamental understanding that each and every one is equal.
“Israel is a democratic and ethical state and will have to remain so,” said Braverman-Blumenstyk, who is also general manager of Microsoft Israel’s center for studies and progress.
Israeli cybersecurity corporation Wiz announced Monday that any company wishing to participate in the startup will have to comply with its non-discrimination policy.
Discrimination against a user for any explanation of why — adding race, religion, nationality, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, outlook, party affiliation, age or non-public prestige — will be grounds for Wiz to end any dated business with the contractor company, the startup said.
“The recent calls for the revocation of basic rights heard in the political arena in Israel are a grave fear for our society,” Wiz said. “We are obliged to do everything possible to avoid any form of discrimination. “
Other corporations and monetary institutions, in addition to More Investment House, Altshuler Shaham Investment House and insurance company AIG Israel, have made statements pledging to oppose discrimination.
The Israeli business statements come just a day after devout Zionist MK Orit Strock, who will become a cabinet minister in the new government, sparked an uproar by saying doctors deserve to be allowed to refuse to supply remedies that contravene their religion, as long as some other doctor is willing to provide the same treatment.
Supporting Strock, fellow devout Zionist lawmaker Simcha Rothman made comments Sunday, saying that if a hotel wanted to refuse to serve homosexuals for devout reasons, it would have the right to do so.
Last week, more than a hundred senior Israeli business executives and fund managers joined a call this month to warn Netanyahu that his coalition’s desired policies threaten Israel’s symbol as a solid democracy and may harm the industry by driving out foreign investment.
Venture capital fund Pitango on Monday called on venture capital netpaintings and the tech industry to oppose any manifestations of hatred, racism or discrimination that threaten democracy and the rule of law in Israel. VC affirmed its commitment to paintings only with corporations and entities that do not discriminate on any grounds, adding race, religion, nationality, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, party affiliation and age.
“Pitango has been running for years to promote diversity, inclusion and equality for all, in ultra-Orthodox populations, Arab minorities, gay netpaintings and other populations,” said Pitango founder Chemi Peres. “This call is an integral part of our commitment to all of them, and we will continue to paint for them, even more strongly. “
Peres, who is the son of former President Shimon Peres, said that the high-tech sector is and remains the engine of expansion of the State of Israel.
“The contribution of the high-tech network to the Israeli economy is vital and significant,” he added. “We will all have to dedicate ourselves to maintaining an equal and inclusive society to gain long-term advantages from the State of Israel. “. “
The Times of Israel contributed to this report.
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