On February 20, 2014, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel contacted the Israel Postal Company with regards to a sign (picture attached) that was hung at the entrance to their Shuafat Branch in East Jerusalem. The sign explained that women wearing a head covering would not be allowed to withdraw money.
ACRI Attorney Keren Tzafrir wrote to the company and explained that refusing to provide public services for this reason constitutes discrimination on the basis of freedom of religion, and is therefore forbidden under the Law Prohibiting Discrimination in Products, Services and Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Facilities. As such, it was demanded that the sign be removed immediately and the policy rescinded.
The Israel Postal Company responded to our letter by explaining that their policy was based upon the General Directive Against Money Laundering – 2011 that forbids any activity at financial institutions without facial identification. As a result, they claimed that the procedure falls within an exception to the Anti-Discrimination Law that allows discrimination when the character of the public service demands it.
Despite defending their discriminatory activity, the poster has since been removed from the Israel Post branch, and ACRI will continue to ensure that such policies are not enforced in the future.
