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Sanctions imposed by Western governments on Moscow over the
Ukraine conflict have made it difficult for Russians living
abroad, such as the ex-Soviet immigrants who tend to favour
Lieberman's political party, to obtain funds.
The ministry source said that in Israel, home to more than one
million immigrants from the former Soviet Union, there are
57,000 retirees who receive Russian pensions but are unable to
transfer those funds to Israel.
To that end, Lieberman would on Tuesday convene discussions with
ministry staff and representatives of the Bank of Israel "on the
transfer of funds from Russia to innocent citizens living in
Israel," the source told Reuters, confirming a report in the
Calcalist newspaper.
"In addition, there are citizens who are not under sanctions who
... are trying to transfer their money from there to Israel
through financial institutions that are active in Russia and not
under sanctions but are facing difficulties due to the refusal
of Israel banks to approve the transfers."
Lieberman was born in Moldova and his Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel
Our Home) party typically attracts an ex-Soviet immigrant
constituent base. Israel is holding a new election on Nov. 1
after parliament dissolved itself last month.
The Bank of Israel said only that it would present its
regulatory positions at the meeting.
While Israel is not a party to the sanctions, it has obeyed them
since they are set by allies the United States and Europe. In
recent years, Israeli banks have been fined heavily by the U.S.
Department of Justice for tax evasion by American citizens.
(Reporting by Steven Scheer, Editing by William Maclean)
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