London real estate event admits promoting Israeli settlement property 'by mistake'
Submitted by
Imran Mulla
on
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:04
Middle East Eye earlier revealed details of properties advertised in illegal Israeli settlements at the event, which was held at the Edgware United Synagogue in London
Demonstrators and counter-demonstrators face off outside the Great Israeli Real Estate Event on Sunday (MEE/Maya Saad)
Off
Organisers of a London real estate event have admitted properties in illegal Israeli settlements were promoted at the event last Sunday, saying it happened "by mistake".
But they also defended the event, saying "it is outrageous that in this day and age, anyone would seek to deny British Jews the right to purchase property anywhere in the world".
Organisers of the Great Israeli Real Estate Event appeared to deny that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are on "stolen Palestinian land".
On Monday, Middle East Eye revealed details of properties advertised in illegal Israeli settlements at the event, which was held at the Edgware United Synagogue in London.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Tuesday that ministers have asked the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate the event.
In a statement later on Tuesday, the event's organisers said properties in the occupied West Bank were included in printed material "by mistake".
A spokesperson said: "We would like to re-emphasise that the venue made it clear to us that we were not in any way to promote the sale of Israeli real estate over the Green Line, and all participating vendors agreed to abide by that requirement.
"At the same time, we believe it is outrageous that in this day and age, anyone would seek to deny British Jews the right to purchase property anywhere in the world, whether in Paris, New York, or Israel."
'Disputed' not occupied
Event organisers appeared to dispute that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are "stolen Palestinian land", although they are illegal under international law and recognised as such by the British government.
The UK considers the West Bank to be part of the "Occupied Palestinian Territories".
Israeli settlers attack Christian village as West Bank violence escalates
Read More »
Instead, the event's organisers characterised the area as "disputed".
The event organisers said: "We also noticed false accusations on social media claiming that vendors at the event were selling ‘stolen Palestinian land’.
"These allegations are simply untrue. No one at the event promoted or spoke about properties in the ‘disputed territories’, such as Givat Zeev or Kfar Eldad.
"Their mention in the event brochure was made in error for which we apologise."
Organisers further said "we firmly reject the attempt to delegitimise established neighbourhoods in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city, which are home to diverse communities and have long been part of the city’s urban fabric."
East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory under international law, and according to the British government.
Complaint to Charity Commission
On Monday the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based legal group, submitted a formal complaint about the synagogue which hosted the event to the Charity Commission.
It said the ICJP "possesses documented evidence demonstrating that exhibitors participating in the event promoted and marketed residential property located in illegal Israeli settlements established in the [occupied Palestinian territories]".
Exclusive: Illegal settlements promoted in London at Great Israeli Real Estate Event
Read More »
The Charity Commission told MEE on Wednesday morning: "We are assessing concerns raised with us about an event held at a synagogue affiliated with United Synagogue. Our assessment will determine what regulatory role there is, if any, for the Commission.
"In line with our guidance, the charity has submitted a serious incident report relating to concerns raised about the event."
On Tuesday MEE published photos of brochures and leaflets at the event.
Harey Zahav developers participated in the event, promoting Kfar Eldad, an illegal West Bank settlement south of Bethlehem, and Teneh Omarim, another illegal settlement near Hebron.
Tivuch Shelly, a major Israeli real estate agency, advertised property in Ma'ale Adumim - an occupied West Bank settlement - in a brochure at the event, describing an "exciting new project just 10 minutes from Jerusalem!".
The company Jerusalem Real Estate advertised projects in French Hill and Ramat Eshkol, illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, in a brochure.
Africa Israel also advertised the "Soho Jerusalem" development in the Katomon area in West Jerusalem.
Africa Israel has been involved in several projects in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
UK Politics
News
Post Date Override
0
Update Date
Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19
Update Date Override
0