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9th September 2024
02:23pm BST
For many of us in Ireland, Revolut has become a staple of everyday life.
The alternative banking app has made huge strides over the past few years and, for some, it's nearly impossible to think of life without it.
However, if you have been scrolling through social media over the past day, you might have noticed calls to freeze Revolut accounts in Ireland.
The calls come as part of a planned boycott of the company, after an identification code now authorises Revolut with the ability to connect to the local payment schemes in Israel.
In a statement on their website, the Bank of Israel said: "The Bank of Israel hereby announces the issuance of an identification code to a second global fintech company that has chosen to operate in Israel as a participant in a controlled payment system – Revolut Ltd."
The boycott in solidarity with the people of Palestine is planned for today, Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10.
The boycott involves not using the Revolut app or card to purchase anything over the two days, as well as putting a temporary freeze on any Revolut cards.
Shedding light on the planned boycott, Irish-based Palestinian activist Dr Abdullah Al Bayyari said on Instagram: "We demand assurance that the steps Revolut have been taking to open a branch in Israel will not go ahead.
"Three months ago they began posting job positions, they made this decision despite a genocide taking place with the highest international court confirming the plausibility of this," he said.
"This nation and its people have dehumanised Palestinians for decades, their public do not protest for sanctity of a child's life being betrayed, putting aside all other atrocities being carried out by their military and government. Why? Because they're Palestinian children."
Revolut saw their Irish customer base rise by more than 20% in 2023, ending the year with 2.7 million users.
The fintech also reported a more than 50% annual rise in the number of Irish companies using Revolut Business last year.
Since last October, nearly 41,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the Health Ministry of Palestine has said.
At least 33 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the weekend.
