A synagogue in London has been referred to Britain’s charity regulator for hosting a real estate event that promoted illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Middle East Eye reported on Monday on details of properties advertised in illegal Israeli settlements at the Great Israeli Real Estate Event at the Edgware United Synagogue on Sunday.
On Monday the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based legal group, submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission about the synagogue, which is a registered charity.
The letter, seen by MEE, said the ICJP “possesses documented evidence demonstrating that exhibitors participating in the event promoted and marketed residential properly located in illegal Israeli settlements established in the [occupied Palestinian territories]”.
It requested “that the Charity Commission open an urgent regulatory compliance case into Edgware United Synagogue and the conduct of its trustees in connection with the hosting of the event, which promoted property located in illegal Israeli settlements”.
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The letter said the synagogue’s “hosting of an event that promoted property located in Israeli settlements is a flagrant breach of its obligations as a charity”.
On Sunday MEE saw numerous photos from the event, which was held at the Edgware United Synagogue.
The company Jerusalem Real Estate (JRE) advertised projects in French Hill and Ramat Eshkol, illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, in a brochure at the event.
Harey Zahav developers also 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 Adunim – a West Bank settlement – in a brochure at the event, describing an “exciting new project just 10 minutes from Jerusalem!”.
‘Urgent investigation’ needed
Orlaith Roe, the ICJP’s Public Affairs and Communications Officer, said: “If charities can use their premises and resources to host events connected to illegal settlement activity without scrutiny or consequence, public trust in charity regulation is seriously undermined.
“The Charity Commission must open an urgent investigation, and the government must ensure that its actions match its stated commitment to upholding international law.”
The ICJP also sent photographs of brochures and leaflets advertising property in illegal settlements from Sunday’s event to London’s Metropolitan Police.
Exclusive: Illegal settlements promoted in London at Great Israeli Real Estate Event
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MEE has contacted the Charity Commission and the Met for comment.
On Friday, more than 100 MPs urged the cancellation of the event in a letter to the foreign secretary.
“Allowing the event to proceed would not only be inconsistent with current UK government guidance on settlement-related economic activity, it would stand in opposition to the government’s obligations under international law,” the letter to Yvette Cooper read.
The government said last week it would “explicitly advise businesses against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements”.
MEE has attempted to reach the real estate event’s organisers for comment.
The Edgware United Synagogue has also been contacted for comment about the event but has not responded.
Organisers denied last week in comments to Jewish News that the event would feature land for sale in the occupied West Bank, saying: “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.”
