London synagogue reported to Charity Commission over event promoting Israeli settlement property
Middle East Eye is publishing photos of brochures and leaflets at the event which advertised property in occupied Palestinian territory and promoted companies with links to illegal settlements.
The revelations come as British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that ministers have asked the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate the Great Israeli Real Estate Event which took place on Sunday.
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.
This comes as the Edgware United Synagogue has been referred to Britain's charity regulator for hosting the event.
On Monday the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based legal group, submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission.
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It 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]".
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!".
It read: "Located in a thriving, established Anglo community with excellent schools and outstanding community services."
The brochure promoted "several resale homes available in Ma'ale Adumim... some with pools!"
The company Jerusalem Real Estate (JRE) advertised projects in French Hill and Ramat Eshkol, illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, in a brochure.
It said: "At JRE, we guide foreign buyers and sellers through premium resales and new developments in Jerusalem's most sought-after-Anglo neighbourhoods."
The ICPJ 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".
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".
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.
In parliament on Tuesday, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said that the foreign secretary was told last week "the UK would be hosting a Great Israeli Real Estate Event" and that "she undertook to look into it".
Chowns continued: "That event took place. At that event properties in illegal settlements were being marketed on British territory. The government has been sent the evidence about this. How is it that this government fails even to prevent the marketing of illegal property in this country and still fails to take action?"
Cooper replied that "we have been very clear that not only should no businesses be engaging in trade and marketing around the illegal settlements, they certainly should not be doing so on UK soil.
"And that is why my colleague, the minister for the Middle East and North Africa, and also the DCMS [Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport], have raised this directly with the advertising standards agency [sic] because we take this so seriously.
"We have asked them bow to urgently look into this and to reassure us that if there is any evidence of the advertising or promotion of property in illegal settlements at this or any other events, they will uphold the law, regulations and guidance that apply."
Undermining public trust
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.
MEE has contacted the Charity Commission and the Met for comment.
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."
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