Key facts
- The Great Israeli Real Estate Event is scheduled to take place in London.
- Companies participating in the event have advertised properties in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the government is investigating the event for potential breaches of UK law.
- A UK-based legal group has formally requested the Metropolitan Police investigate the event's legality.
- Organizers deny the event will feature land sales in the occupied West Bank, stating all properties are within the Green Line.
A real estate event scheduled to take place in London has drawn criticism and government scrutiny due to its connection with companies involved in Israeli settlements in occupied territories. The Great Israeli Real Estate Event, set to be held this Sunday, has faced calls for a ban from politicians and human rights organizations.
An investigation revealed that participating companies, including Harey Zahav, The Meshulam Levinstein Group, Tivuch Shelly, and Africa Israel Residences, have advertised or been involved in projects within illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. This has led to concerns about complicity with violations of international law.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government is actively investigating the event and will pursue any breaches of UK law. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has formally requested the Metropolitan Police launch an investigation into the event's legality. Amnesty International UK has also urged the government to take immediate action to prevent it from proceeding.
Organizers have denied that the event will feature land sales in the occupied West Bank, asserting that all properties are located within the Green Line and dismissing allegations as politically motivated. However, evidence suggests otherwise, with the event's website previously advertising settlements that were later removed following public pressure.
Politicians like Green Party leader Zack Polanski and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have condemned the event, calling it obscene and illegal. They argue that it normalizes the sale of Palestinian land and supports the dispossession of Palestinians. The controversy follows a recent UK government statement advising businesses against economic activity in illegal settlements.