In another example of racial profiling in the Netherlands, banks such as ING, Rabobank, and ABN Amro have subjected Muslims and Palestinian activists to intrusive, discriminatory checks based on allegations of “terrorist financing.”
Hassan, a Palestinian-Dutch person, was questioned by ABN Amro about his involvement with pro-Palestinian organisations due to alleged ties to the “terrorist” organisation, Hamas. He was asked about his political views and whereabouts during the Maccabi riots in Amsterdam. Nourdeen, a content creator on Islamic affairs, purchased a €37 scarf and keychains with a Palestinian flag at a Rotterdam mosque. Rabobank questioned him and demanded documentation explaining his purchase.
How did banks determine that these people are “high risk”? Infuriatingly, they relied on reports from pro-Israel lobby organisations like CIDI, known for doxxing and spreading false and inaccurate information. Samira Sabir, a lawyer representing Hassan and Nourdeen, stressed that the banks’ actions are based on unreliable, dubious and potentially illegal research methods and sources.
These discriminatory practices by banks are a longstanding pattern. The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights has ruled three times in two years that ING discriminated, including conducting checks based on “non-Dutch” surnames (meaning: people with Arabic names and/or who are Muslim). Whether based on public sources, algorithms, or a combination of analogue and digital means, there is a clear pattern in how banks select customers for screening. According to human rights lawyer Elsa van de Loo, banks target customers based on religion, ethnicity, activism, and political beliefs, likely violating anti-discrimination law.
Muslims are disproportionately targeted by excessive control and discrimination from financial institutions. And the abstract notion of “risk” has real consequences: blocked accounts, excessive information requests, account closures, service refusals, and even detention. These processes are increasingly automated, further obfuscating discriminatory practices. They also create a chilling effect, restricting Muslims and Palestinian activists from practising their faith or expressing views on Palestine, leading to forms of exclusion. While these practices are recognised not to work, “due diligence” continues to function as a form of punitive control on racialised populations.
As lawyer Sabir stated:
This sets a precedent where financial institutions de facto function as assessors of legitimate political expression.
More broadly, imperialists continue to shape and expand definitions of terrorism and terrorist activism, whether against countries, organisations or individuals. The expansion of terrorist acts often acts as a smoke screen to those who challenge power, and refuse to bow down to imperialist interests.
Heeding the BDS movement call, one step we can take is to boycott ING Bank, Rabobank, and ABN Amro, all complicit investors in Israel’s settler colonial project.
See: Hoe banken moslims tot verdachten maken: ‘Heeft u ooit positief gestaan tegenover Hamas?’ at Follow the Money.
Image from the original Follow the Money article.