Activists say London property fair marketed homes in Israeli settlements

Activists who entered a London property fair say real estate companies promoted homes in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera. The claims add to pressure on British authorities after lawmakers, rights groups and London Mayor Sadiq Khan criticised the event over possible links to settlement sales.

The Great Israeli Real Estate Event was held at Edgware United Synagogue as part of a roadshow for land and property in Israel, Al Jazeera reported. Photos shared with the outlet by activists showed promotional material for homes in areas including Maale Adumim, Givat Zeev, Givat Hamatos and Ramat Eshkol, all areas tied to settlements considered illegal under international law by United Nations bodies and most countries.

One leaflet promoted homes in Maale Adumim, a West Bank settlement near Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera. The event took place while hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside, accusing organisers of helping sell property on occupied Palestinian land.

What activists described inside the event

Isabel, a member of Jewish Anti-Zionist Action who used only her first name when speaking to Al Jazeera, said the room was calm, heavily secured and arranged with stalls, promotional materials and giveaways. She said plainclothes security staff wore body cameras.

Isabel told Al Jazeera that she did not hear attendees discuss Palestinians. She said agents instead spoke about English-speaking “Anglo-communities” for buyers from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

According to Isabel, some agents said the war in Gaza had pushed down prices and could make it a favourable time to buy. She said representatives from Harey Zahav showed her properties in Jerusalem and Netanya, while other participants later referred in lower voices to a portfolio in “Judea and Samaria,” the Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.

One representative told her organisers had asked companies not to advertise those locations openly, Al Jazeera reported. He asked for her contact details so he could send information afterwards, according to her account.

At a stand for Tivuch Shelly, Isabel said representatives were more cautious about discussing West Bank properties but had flyers advertising homes in Givat Hamatos and Ramat Eshkol in occupied East Jerusalem. Al Jazeera also reported that a Jewish Anti-Zionist Action activist interrupted the event by accusing it of selling property on occupied Palestinian land before security removed him.

Political pressure and police response

Before the fair, more than 100 British lawmakers signed a letter urging the government to meet its obligations under international law and stop an event they said promoted illegal activity, according to Al Jazeera. Layla Moran, a British MP of Palestinian descent and one of the signatories, called the sales “unacceptable.”

Rights groups including Amnesty International and Mayor Sadiq Khan also criticised the event, Al Jazeera reported. Outside the synagogue, protesters carried signs accusing Israel of selling stolen Palestinian land.

The Metropolitan Police said 15 people were arrested during the demonstrations for offences including public order matters. Green Party leader Zack Polanski has written to Khan seeking a police investigation, while Khan said he had discussed the event with the Met and was told any allegations of criminality linked to property sales would be assessed as part of a probe.

Settlement context

Israel began building settlements after capturing the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, according to Al Jazeera. More than 700,000 Israeli settlers now live in 150 settlements and 128 outposts across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, the outlet reported.

UN bodies and most countries regard those settlements as illegal under international conventions. Al Jazeera reported that Israel disputes that position and that the United States has long shielded Israel from some diplomatic censure at the UN through its veto power.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.