No crackdown on critics of Israel: Demand Unity Trust unfreeze Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s funds
For years, Unity Trust has marketed itself as an "ethical bank" committed to social justice and positive impact. The bank's recent move to freeze Scottish PSC's funds, however, undermines this self-professed commitment and aligns the bank with those who seek to silence legitimate criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. This action does not reflect the values of transparency, fairness, or ethical banking.
We demand that Unity Trust immediately take the following actions:
- Unfreeze the account of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, granting full access without delay.
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding this decision, taking into consideration that a link to Palestine Action was voluntarily removed from the SPSC website before the group’s proscription on 5 July 2025. It is critical to note that proscription does not apply retroactively and, therefore, should not impact the status of SPSC’s account. We request that the full investigation report be shared with SPSC once completed.
- Clarify whether any third parties were involved in the decision to freeze the account and, if so, disclose their role in the process.
- Ensure that Unity Trust operates independently of political influence in its decision-making.
TAKE ACTION: We invite you to add pressure by writing to express our deep anger and disappointment at the bank's recent decision to freeze SPSC's bank account. Their response will determine whether we continue to trust and support an institution that claims to be ethical. If Unity Trust is unable to fulfil these demands and provide suitable assurances, we will be forced to reconsider our relationship and begin seeking alternative banking options.