Elham Asaad Buaras
Amnesty International has branded the Government’s response to a controversial London property exhibition advertising homes in illegal Israeli settlements a “ridiculous gimmick”, after ministers referred the matter to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) despite the event going ahead on June 14.
The criticism came on 16 June, after the “Great Israeli Real Estate Event” was held in north London amid protests and widespread condemnation from human rights groups, 101 MPs and peers, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The exhibition was accused of marketing homes in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are regarded as illegal under international law.
Responding to the Government’s decision to refer the matter to the ASA, Amnesty accused ministers of failing to grasp the seriousness of the issue.
“Referring an event that enables war crimes and crimes against humanity to the Advertising Standards Agency is a ridiculous gimmick that fails to understand the devastation Israeli settlements cause for Palestinians,” said Amnesty’s UK’s Crisis Response Manager Kristyan Benedict.
The exhibition, organised by real estate agency My Home in Israel, was held at Edgware United Synagogue after its original venue withdrew from hosting the event following public criticism.
Amnesty said the Government’s response was inconsistent with its long-standing position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and called for stronger measures, including a ban on trade with settlements and an investigation into the organisers.
The criticism follows a statement by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in the House of Commons on 9 June, in which she said ministers had sought assurances from the Advertising Standards Authority that any evidence of the promotion of property in illegal settlements would be scrutinised under existing regulations.
A Government spokesperson said: “We completely oppose the advertisement of properties for sale in settlements, which are illegal under international law.
“We have written to the Advertising Standards Authority to ensure any evidence of such advertising is scrutinised under UK law, and we have updated advice to UK businesses of the legal and reputational risks of activity in illegal settlements.”
The event had attracted growing controversy in the days leading up to its opening. On 12 June, during Mayor’s Question Time, Sadiq Khan said Israeli settlements in the West Bank were “unjustifiable and illegal under international law” and that he opposed the exhibition taking place “in London or anywhere else in the world”.
A cross-party group of 101 MPs and peers also urged the Government to intervene, arguing that the exhibition promoted land and property in settlements built on occupied Palestinian territory.
Although references to Gush Etzion were removed from promotional material following criticism, subsequent reporting indicated that brochures distributed at the exhibition advertised developments in several settlements across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that referrals connected to the Israel-Gaza conflict are assessed under war crimes and crimes against humanity guidelines agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service. However, police said there is currently no UK-based investigation specifically relating to the exhibition.
The United Nations, the International Court of Justice and most of the international community regard Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory as illegal under international law, a position rejected by Israel.
Protesters gathered outside the venue as the event proceeded on Sunday, while campaigners continued to call for stronger action against the promotion of settlement properties in Britain.
