Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/474/2073
From The Socialist newspaper, 15 February 2007
HSBC imposes charges on aid to Palestinians
HSBC BANK that has offices in 77 countries, claims to be a 'socially responsible corporation'. However, this doesn't seem to apply to the humanitarian plight of Palestinians living in the Gaza strip and the Israeli occupied West Bank territories.
According to the charity Oxfam, HSBC has charged the European Union (EU) £1.9 million in bank charges on transfers of EU aid to relieve 140,000 Palestinians living in poverty. Unbelievably, for each money transfer HSBC creams off eight euros.
Because of the economic stranglehold imposed by the Israeli authorities on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the imposition of US, EU and Russian economic sanctions following the PA election victory of Hamas in January 2006, unemployment and levels of poverty amongst ordinary Palestinians have rocketed. Unemployment is officially 30%, while 57% of workers earn wages below the poverty line. Infant mortality in Gaza is now 24%.
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In The Socialist 15 February 2007:
Cardiff students build for 22 February
Students must link up with workers
Campaign for a New Workers Party
A great step forward in Liverpool
War and terrorism
Bush threatens Iran over Iraq insurgency
Socialist Party feature
Ten years of the socialist: 1997-2007
Bird flu outbreak
Bird flu outbreak: Profits put before health
Job losses fear on turkey farms
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Fighting back against NHS cuts
Socialist Party news and analysis
Police raids dividing community
International socialist news
Workers' strike declared illegal
HSBC imposes charges on aid to Palestinians
Workplace news and analysis
Simclar workers fight sackings
EDS forced into 'U' turn on pay
Greenwich workers prepare to fight
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