It’s almost hard to believe, but the world’s largest online payment platform, PayPal, won’t serve Palestinians living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza.
PayPal actively discriminates against Palestinians in Palestine — essentially refusing to provide them services.²
Tell PayPal: Stop discriminating against Palestinians.
It’s open discrimination. Israelis living in illegal settlements, next door to Palestinians living under occupation, are allowed to create and use PayPal accounts.
It’s especially cruel given the economic devastation of Israeli occupation. Unemployment in the occupied territories is high and shockingly high in Gaza, where it’s nearly 50%. The ability to get paid securely would make a world of difference.
PayPal offers services to Israelis in the same areas; Apple Pay, a PayPal competitor, offers services to anyone with an Apple device. Small business owners in particular are suffering because of this.
Sign the petition to PayPal: Stop discriminating against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
By blocking access to Palestinians, PayPal adds yet another barrier for Palestinians struggling to make a living under occupation.
By withholding services, PayPal is cosigning on Israel’s racial discrimination, and no one should be okay with that. Over 200,000 people have signed a petition to PayPal — will you add your voice today?
Sign the petition to PayPal: Stop discriminating against Palestinians.
Thank you for all you do.
In solidarity,
Linda, Granate, Lau, and the MPower Change team
Sources:
1. ”PayPal,” LinkedIn, June 4, 2022.
2. "Palestinians urge PayPal to offer services in West Bank and Gaza," Reuters, October 21, 2021.