Israeli real estate event due in London strongly denies sale of West Bank land
'All exhibitors, without exception, will provide information about properties and projects within the Green Line'
The organisers of an Israeli real estate event due to take place in London have strongly denied claims that it will feature land for sale in the West Bank, describing the allegations as “ridiculous” and “motivated by anti-Israeli and terrorist supporters”.
In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary, who had announced new sanctions on entities related to West Bank settler violence, faced specific calls to ban the ‘Great Israeli Real Estate Event’, due to take place in London this weekend,
Callum Miller, the Liberal Democrats’ defence spokesman, called for the Government to ban the Great Israeli Real Estate Event coming to London on Sunday.
Mr Miller said: “Properties in illegal settlements in Gush Etzion are being marketed alongside properties in Israeli cities – this is Palestinian land being advertised, bartered and sold on the streets of our capital.
“So, will the Government intervene to ban the event, unless assurances can be made that no properties in illegal settlements will be advertised?”
Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, also said the sale of Palestinian land at the event would be “flouting international law” in London.
Referencing those businesses operating from London, she added: “We will pursue any issue that we can around anything that might be a breach of the law, or might be issues that we can raise.”
In response, Yvette Cooper said the government would “warn any businesses against associating themselves with potential breaches of international law and with becoming involved in a process that is undermining peace and security in the region.”
Organisations such as Amnesty International and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have led calls for it to be banned from going ahead in London, and have written directly to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
However, a spokesperson for the ‘Great Israeli Real Estate Event’ said that they “strongly denied the allegations made today.
“All exhibitors, without exception, will provide information about properties and projects within the Green Line. We believe that these ridiculous allegations are motivated by anti-Israeli and terrorist supporters, seeking only excuses to attack Jews in general and the State of Israel in particular.”
The property show’s US events have been marked by significant protests from pro-Palestinian activists claiming that “stolen land” is being marketed.
In her response to the Commons, Cooper argued there was a “moral responsibility” on businesses “and particularly on charities where we have additional powers” from them not to support illegal settlements.
The Foreign Secretary also confirmed she would be meeting with the Charity Commission this week to discuss the need for tougher enforcement over dealings with illegal land in the West Bank.