Key facts
- An Israeli real estate event in London advertised properties in settlements in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
- Brochures featured real estate projects in Ma’ale Adumim, Givat Ze’ev, Kfar Eldad, Teneh Omarim, Ramat Eshkol, and Givat Hamatos.
- Over 100 UK lawmakers and civil society organizations had called for the event's cancellation.
- Organizers previously denied marketing properties in illegal settlements, calling allegations 'ridiculous'.
- The organizers apologized for the mention of West Bank settlements in a brochure, calling it an 'error'.
- The Foreign Office minister asked the Advertising Standards Authority to scrutinize the advertising.
An Israeli real estate event held in north London has drawn criticism after its promotional materials appeared to advertise the sale of land in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Pamphlets from the event, "The Great Real Estate Event," showcased projects in settlements including Ma’ale Adumim, Givat Ze’ev, Kfar Eldad, and Teneh Omarim in the West Bank, as well as Ramat Eshkol and Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem.
The event proceeded despite calls for its cancellation from over 100 UK lawmakers and civil society organizations, who argued it was inconsistent with international law and UK guidance on settlement-related economic activity. Andy McDonald MP, co-chair of the British-Palestine all-party parliamentary group, stated there was a "prima facie case" that land in illegal settlements was advertised, urging government action.
Concerns were also raised by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who had spoken with the Metropolitan police regarding potential criminal investigations into unlawful property sales. The event was the final stop in a series of international roadshows that had previously appeared in Toronto and New York.
Organizers had initially denied that the event would feature land for sale in the West Bank, labeling such allegations as 'ridiculous' and 'motivated by anti-Israeli and terrorist supporters.' However, following public outcry and parliamentary questions, they issued an apology to the Jewish News, attributing the mention of settlements like Givat Ze’ev and Kfar Eldad in a brochure to an 'error.' The website mentioning Gush Etzion has since been taken down, and references to settlements were removed from event pages.
Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, confirmed that a Foreign Office minister had written to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) requesting scrutiny of the advertising under UK law. The ASA has acknowledged receipt of the letter.