Key facts
- The UK's Charity Commission issued regulatory advice to Edgware United Synagogue.
- The synagogue hosted the Great Israeli Real Estate Event on June 14.
- Properties in illegal Israeli settlements were promoted at the event.
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians filed a complaint on June 15.
- The Charity Commission engaged with trustees and provided guidance under the Charities Act 2011.
- The commission has closed its case.
The UK's Charity Commission has issued "regulatory advice" to the trustees of Edgware United Synagogue in London after the venue hosted a real estate event that promoted properties in illegal Israeli settlements. Middle East Eye revealed the commission's action, which followed a complaint lodged by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) on June 15.
The ICJP's complaint highlighted the use of charitable premises and resources to facilitate a commercial event promoting property located in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, despite significant legal, regulatory, and reputational concerns. The organizers of the Great Israeli Real Estate Event, held on June 14, later admitted that properties in Israeli settlements were promoted "by mistake."
In its response dated July 28, the Charity Commission stated that it had considered the concerns, reviewed evidence, and engaged with the synagogue's trustees. Following this engagement, the commission provided regulatory advice and guidance under section 15(2) of the Charities Act 2011. The commission expects the trustees to act on this advice and has since closed its case.
A spokesperson for the ICJP acknowledged that the commission's guidance demonstrated the seriousness of the concerns, sending a message to the wider charitable sector about due diligence and risk assessment. However, the ICJP also expressed that the commission's response did not go far enough and that more robust regulatory action was needed to uphold charity law and public trust.