Israeli firms fight back against government threat to discriminate against LGBTQ

Bank bans credit for bigots; Netanyahu rebukes far-right partners after MK suggests doctors could refuse to treat gay patients; Noam Party reportedly catalogued LGBTQ media workers.

Bank bans credit for bigots as firms in Israel decry planned pro-discrimination laws (Times of Israel)
Microsoft, Wiz among businesses expressing concern incoming government will seek to amend rules to allow firms to refuse services if it violates their religious beliefs

Israeli tech firms and financial institutions are joining an effort started by Israel Discount Bank to clearly voice their opposition to discrimination amid growing concern that the incoming coalition government will enact changes to allow the use of discriminatory practices.

Israel Discount Bank on Sunday announced that its board of directors accepted a recommendation by the bank’s management to update its credit policy to reflect that the lender will not grant credit to any business or organization that acts in a discriminatory manner or discriminates against customers on the basis of religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Israeli politician suggests doctors could refuse to treat gay patients (Guardian)
President condemns anti-LGBTQ rhetoric after comment by Orit Strook, which she later said referred to certain procedures

A suggestion by one of Benjamin Netanyahu’s incoming ministers that Israeli doctors should be allowed to refuse treatment to LGBTQ patients on religious grounds has heightened fears that the new government poses an unprecedented threat to gay rights.

Netanyahu issues rare rebuke of his own far-right coalition partners (AP/SMH)
Designated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of his new coalition allies for saying they would advance laws allowing discrimination against LGBTIQ people, pledging there would be no harm to their rights by his upcoming government.