The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading civil and human rights organisation fighting hatred in all its forms, has expressed its strong concern about the refusal by Australian firm World First to transfer money to a student studying in Bina, an Israeli Yeshiva in Tel Aviv. The businessman, who wished to transfer the funds to his daughter who is a student in Bina, contacted the ADC after he was told by World First that since Bina was involved with the IDF they could not conduct the transaction.
Dr. Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“This alarming incident cannot be left unanswered. Any refusal to deal with an Israeli institution, large or small, is an egregious attack on the Jewish state and contradicts our fundamental values of fairness and tolerance. At its core, the BDS movement is fuelled by a virulent strain of anti-Semitism and a desire to delegitimize Israel, and as such has no place in Australia. If indeed, as World First subsequently claims, the use of the IDF as a pretext for unjustifiably rejecting the transaction with Bina was a mistake, then we call on the company to publicly declare that it rejects the BDS campaign and its objective to marginalize and economically destabilize Israel. Such a statement will assure World First customers that the company is not engaged in any form of divestment or sanction.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677.