Weiner Calls For Shutdown Of Arab Bank
The Jewish Week, July 22, 2005
(JTA) Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens), citing the Arab Bank’s alleged ties to terrorism, called on the Treasury Department to expel the bank from the United States at a press conference Sunday in Manhattan. Weiner noted that the Arab Bank handles transactions with groups such as the Holy Land Foundation, a front group for Hamas, and may work with the Global Relief Foundation, which some contend supports al-Qaeda.
“What goes on in New York City is a message for the rest of the world,” Weiner said. “We do not welcome those who facilitate terrorism here in New York City.”
Arab Bank is a Jordanian institution whose single American branch is
located in midtown Manhattan. Weiner was joined by Morton Klein, president
of the Zionist Organization of America, who engaged in a brief shouting
match with a heckler after the press conference on whether Israel deserves
blame for violence in the region.