London Property Exhibition Highlights Homes in Israeli Settlements, Sparking Outcry

LONDON — Properties constructed in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory were advertised for sale at a London real‑estate exhibition over the weekend.

More than 100 British parliamentarians urged the organizers to cancel the event, warning that promoting such properties could legitimize settlement expansion.

Marketing literature distributed at the “Great Israeli Real Estate Event” highlighted homes in Ma’ale Adumim and Givat Zeev (West Bank) as well as Ramat Eshkol and Givat HaMatos (East Jerusalem), according to Sky News. These settlements were established on land seized by Israel in 1967 and are deemed illegal under international law.

Jewish Anti‑Zionist Action, a UK‑based pro‑Palestinian group composed of Jewish individuals, obtained the promotional material after registering for the Sunday event.

‘After clearing security, I received a complimentary tote bag and a brochure listing the real‑estate firms participating in the fair,’ a group member told Sky News.

The leaflets identified firms such as Yigal Realty, which marketed homes in Givat Zeev, and Tivuch Shelly, which advertised properties in Givat HaMatos and Ramat Eshkol. One attendee collected a flyer from Tivuch Shelly describing homes in Ma’ale Adumim.

Prior to the exhibition, organizers dismissed allegations that West Bank settlement properties would be featured, labeling the claims ‘ridiculous’ and asserting that all exhibitors would limit themselves to projects within Israel’s internationally recognized borders.

Entries referencing the Gush Etzion settlement were subsequently removed from the event’s website.

A petition addressed to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, signed by 101 MPs and Lords, cautioned that the exhibition might facilitate further settlement expansion on occupied Palestinian land.

Labour MP Andy McDonald, co‑chair of the Britain‑Palestine All‑Party Parliamentary Group, said the event confirmed his misgivings, describing it as an ‘absolute abomination’ and questioning how a nation could trade in lands it does not own, drawing a parallel to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

He called on the government to take decisive action, urging it to prohibit trade with settlements rather than merely advising British firms to avoid them.

The UK government has repeatedly affirmed that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and jeopardize prospects for a two‑state solution.

The show formed part of a broader series of international property expos highlighting Israeli real‑estate opportunities. Demonstrations, both supportive and oppositional, convened at a northwest London synagogue, where authorities detained 15 individuals.

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