Israeli property event moved after original venue withdraws

An Israeli property exhibition has been moved to a new location, after its original north London venue withdrew just days before the event was due to take place.

Jewish News understands that The Avenue on Regents Park Road was set to host the Great Israeli Real Estate Event on Sunday, before pulling out earlier this week.

The reason for the venue’s decision has not been confirmed.

The development comes as London Mayor Sadiq Khan became the latest senior political figure to criticise the exhibition.

Responding to a query on the subject from Green Party leader Zack Polanski during Mayor’s Question Time on Friday, Khan said: “Israeli settlements in the West Bank are unjustifiable and illegal under international law.”

He added: “I condemn any attempt to sell property in the settlements in the West Bank, be that in London or anywhere else in the world; I share concerns about the greater Israeli real estate event taking place in our city, which I oppose.”

The Great Israeli Real Estate Event is organised by My Home in Israel, a company that markets Israeli property to overseas buyers and hosts exhibitions for people interested in purchasing homes in Israel.

The exhibition has come under increasing scrutiny in recent days following claims that properties in West Bank settlements are being promoted to British buyers.

The issue reached Parliament this week, when Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, Callum Miller, called on the government to intervene unless assurances could be given that no settlement properties would be advertised.

Speaking in the House of Commons, 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?”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stopped short of supporting a ban but warned businesses against becoming involved in activities linked to potential breaches of international law.

She told MPs 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.”

Campaign groups, including Amnesty International UK and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, have also called for the exhibition to be stopped.

Organisers have strongly rejected the allegations.

In a statement previously provided to Jewish News, a spokesperson for the Great Israeli Real Estate Event said: “All exhibitors, without exception, will provide information about properties and projects within the Green Line.”

The spokesperson added: “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 event has previously attracted protests in North America, where campaigners made similar allegations. Organisers have consistently denied those claims.

Despite the venue change, the exhibition is expected to go ahead on Sunday at an alternative location.

Jewish News has approached both The Avenue and representatives of the event for comment.