The court recommended that the Israeli bank unblock Abramovich's transfer

The court decided that the Israeli bank must unblock Abramovich's donation to the search and rescue organization ZAKA because EU sanctions do not apply to Israel. The judge indicated that in this case “an exception can be made”

The European Union sanctions imposed on the Russian businessman Roman Abramovich do not apply in Israel, so the Mizrahi Tefahot Bank should unblock his donation to the volunteer rescue organization ZAKA in the amount of 8 million shekels (about 196 million rubles), said the Tel District Court judge. Aviva Yardena Seroussi, Globes reports.

Abramovich and ZAKA sued the bank after the refusal, Seroussi said she was inclined to approve the petition. According to the statement of claim, the bank's refusal was due to the fact that the businessman's account was blocked due to sanctions imposed by the EU and the UK, and therefore no transactions could be carried out.

The judge noted that the bank received a request to transfer funds from one Israeli account to another. “Is it reasonable for a bank to accept European sanctions when there is no doubt that they do not apply to Israel? Especially when it comes to donating to an organization that helps Israel in difficult times? You claim that the bank complies with the sanctions regime, but in this case an exception can be made,” she noted.

Mizrahi Tefahot did not comment on the situation.

RBC sent a request to the press service of Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich came under EU and UK sanctions  in March last year. Brussels called the businessman "a Russian oligarch with long-standing and close ties to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin." The EU also indicated that Abramovich is a key shareholder in the metals and mining company Evraz and that the company is one of the largest taxpayers in Russia.

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In May 2022, the billionaire decided to challenge the restrictions. In July, the European Court began considering the claim. In December 2023, the European Court of General Jurisdiction did not lift sanctions against Abramovich ( Forbes estimates the fortune of the businessman and his family at $9.2 billion).