After receiving a request from the Military Relief Organization, the Bank of Israel issued a circular to banks instructing them to be more sensitive towards families of deceased or abducted individuals. The directive emphasized the need for greater empathy in such situations. In response to a post on Facebook by Avi Haroush, whose son Rif Haroush had passed away while serving in the IDF Special Forces Brigade, the bank took action to ensure that banks were more mindful of their language and approach when dealing with such sensitive matters.
The decision to issue this directive came after Avi Haroush shared his experience of closing his son’s bank account and expressed his hurt over the insensitive language used on the form. His post shed light on the emotional impact that insensitive language can have on families dealing with loss or abduction. As a result, the Bank of Israel took action to alleviate some of the additional pain and stress experienced by these families.
The circular served as a reminder to banks of the importance of compassion and understanding in their interactions with customers facing difficult circumstances. Specifically, banks were instructed to change the wording used on forms when closing accounts for deceased individuals from “removed from the list of bank clients” to something less distressing. By doing so, banks hoped to avoid further causing harm or discomfort to grieving families.
Overall, this directive from the Bank of Israel highlights how even seemingly small actions can make a big difference in people’s lives during challenging times. It serves as an important reminder for businesses and organizations alike that sensitivity and empathy are key when dealing with those who are struggling with loss or difficult circumstances.
