Supreme Court halts Abramovich's donation to ZAKA

The Supreme Court temporarily suspended the decision to transfer businessman Roman Abramovich's donation to the ZAKA organization.

Last month, the Tel Aviv District Court ordered Mizrahi Tefahot Bank to transfer eight million shekels to the organization. However, Mizrahi Tefahot filed an appeal of the decision last week, and the Supreme Court's ruling will remain in effect until the appeal is completed.

Following Black Saturday on October 7, Roman Abramovich visited the vicinity of the Gaza Strip and personally witnessed the work of ZAKA volunteers with the bodies of people killed by Hamas. He then decided to donate 8 million shekels to the organization.

However, the Mizrahi Tefahot bank, where Abramovich holds an account, blocked the transfer citing European Union and Great Britain sanctions on Abramovich's assets.

In response, Abramovich and the ZAKA organization filed a lawsuit against the bank for refusing to transfer the funds.

On January 4, the Tel Aviv District Court held the first hearing in the case. During the hearing, Judge Yardena Sarusi expressed her inclination to approve the transfer, stating that arguments about European sanctions against Abramovich are irrelevant in this case, as it involves a domestic transfer between Israeli bank accounts.

"Is it reasonable for a bank to adhere to European sanctions that clearly do not apply to Israel?" the judge questioned. "Especially when the donation in question is intended to help the State of Israel during such a difficult time? Such refusal is unacceptable."