ENGAGE Exclusive: Lloyds TSB Tries To Fool Public Over Interpal Account Closure Demand |
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| Tuesday, 02 December 2008 01:10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ever since Lloyds TSB issued their demand on 8th October 2008 to the Islamic Bank of Britain to cease all its dealings with the British charity Interpal - which since 1994 has been engaged in relief efforts particularly amongst orphans and the poor in occupied Palestine - they have been inundated with complaints from members of the public. Responding to complainants, Lloyds TSB issued a letter claiming that they were actually devoted to Islamic causes and would never use their clout as one of the top four UK clearing banks to force another bank to cease dealings with Interpal. The following is an extract from their letter: "Thank you for getting in touch about the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB) and Interpal...We hope to reassure you about our commitment not only to our Muslim customers but to building relationships with the wider Muslim community. We can confirm that Lloyds TSB does not hold accounts for Interpal. Furthermore, we would not direct, nor would it be appropriate for us, to direct another institution on how to deal with its own customers." Unfortunately for Lloyds TSB, a letter it sent to the Islamic Bank of Britain on 8th October clearly shows that they are being rather economical with the truth. The 8th October letter from Lloyds TSB which Interpal have now published on their website says unambiguously: "We are writing to you to give you notice that, from the date falling on the sixtieth calendar day following the date of this letter we do not wish you to transfer, receive, process or in any way deal with any funds, or in any way whatsoever (acting either as banker or agent on behalf of the Customer) be involved with any type of banking arrangements for Interpal which either uses or involves any products or services provided by us. Furthermore we will not process any payments or credits or allow the completion of any transaction that we believe is or connected with Interpal. By signing and returning a copy of this letter you agree and undertake with us that you will, to the fullest extent possible, ensure that Interpal will not, nor will you on behalf of Interpal, use any products or services provided to you by us." Readers will know that Palestinian relief organisations are constantly targeted by Zionist groups who wish them to be closed down so as to increase pressure on the besieged population of the occupied territories. But why would Lloyds TSB take such partisan action against Interpal? The Chairman of Lloyds TSB is Sir Victor Blank. According to the Jewish Chronicle, Sir Victor 'is a former chair of the Union of Jewish Students Hillel, he is involved with Labour Friends of Israel, is a governor of Tel Aviv University and has also been brought on to the Jewish Leadership Council, meaning he is both Jewish and a leader...Yes, Sir Victor is one Jewish hombre.' Despite what the Jewish Chronicle says about Sir Victor we at ENGAGE are confident that a distinguished gentleman such as he would not take a partisan stand against a charitable organisation like Interpal. Indeed, we at ENGAGE are sure that Sir Victor Blank - as Chairman of Lloyds TSB - must be utterly horrified at the actions that some of his staff have undertaken against Interpal. After all, Palestinian orphans - in the words of the former Palestinian representative to the UK, Afif Safieh - are not children of a lesser God. The latest news is that Lloyds TSB has reportedly agreed to postpone the closure of Interpal's bank account from 8 December until 30 January 2009 after representations from Interpal's bank, the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB). It is vital that all people who value justice and are opposed to illegal occupation and intimidation write to Sir Victor Blank and demand that Lloyds TSB publicly withdraw its action against Interpal and apologise for its appallingly underhand and deceitful behaviour. Sir Victor Blank, Chairman of Lloyds TSB: Lloyds TSB Group plc ENGAGE request that you forward this link to all your friends and colleagues and urge them to write in and insist that Lloyds TSB reconsider their actions.
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