Key facts
- An Israeli real estate event in London advertised properties in illegal West Bank settlements.
- Organizers admitted the promotion of these properties occurred "by mistake" but defended the event.
- The UK considers the West Bank to be "Occupied Palestinian Territories", while organizers referred to the area as "disputed".
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) filed a complaint with the Charity Commission regarding the event.
- The Advertising Standards Authority has been asked to investigate the event.
- Properties in settlements like Kfar Eldad, Teneh Omarim, Ma'ale Adumim, French Hill, and Ramat Eshkol were advertised.
British MP Ellie Chowns has questioned the UK government's response to an Israeli real estate event held in London that reportedly marketed properties in illegal West Bank settlements. Chowns criticized the government's perceived failure to prevent such activities on UK soil and called for a ban on trade with illegal settlements.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government has been clear that businesses should not engage in trade or marketing related to illegal settlements, particularly not on British territory. This statement follows concerns raised by over 100 UK lawmakers who had previously urged the government to cancel the event, warning that it was "firmly embedded in Israel’s project of colonial expansion" and contradicted UK guidance and international law.
The organisers of the event admitted that properties in illegal Israeli settlements were promoted "by mistake" but defended the event, asserting the right of British Jews to purchase property anywhere in the world. They characterized the areas as "disputed" rather than "stolen Palestinian land," a stance that contradicts the UK government's classification of the West Bank as "Occupied Palestinian Territories."
Photos of brochures and leaflets from the event revealed that companies such as Harey Zahav developers, Tivuch Shelly, Jerusalem Real Estate, and Africa Israel advertised properties in various illegal settlements, including Kfar Eldad, Teneh Omarim, Ma'ale Adumim, French Hill, and Ramat Eshkol.
Separately, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission regarding the synagogue that hosted the event. The Charity Commission confirmed it is assessing the concerns and has received a serious incident report from the affiliated charity.