A real-estate exhibition held in north London has come under scrutiny after event brochures advertised housing projects in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
According to documents obtained by The Guardian, promotional material distributed at the event included projects in settlements such as Ma'ale Adumim, Givat Ze'ev, Kfar Eldad, and Teneh Omarim, as well as neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, including Ramat Eshkol and Givat Hamatos.
Before the event itself, more than 100 British lawmakers and civil society organisations called for its cancellation, arguing that promoting property in settlements considered illegal under international law could conflict with Britain's legal obligations.
Among the critics was Labour MP Andy McDonald, co-chair of the British-Palestine All-Party Parliamentary Group, who argued there was at least a prima facie case that land in illegal settlements was being advertised.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also raised concerns with the police before the event. The Metropolitan Police indicated that any evidence of criminal wrongdoing would be assessed.
Organisers had previously rejected allegations that settlement properties would be marketed, describing such claims as politically motivated.
After the event, however, organisers acknowledged that references to some West Bank locations appeared in brochures and issued an apology, saying the inclusion of those areas was an "error". They maintained that no presentations or discussions at the event promoted properties in what they termed the "disputed territories".
A website promoting the event had also previously referenced Gush Etzion, although that reference was later removed.
The issue reached Parliament, where Green MP Ellie Chowns questioned whether the government was doing enough to prevent the promotion of settlement property in the UK.
Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer reportedly asked the UK's Advertising Standards Authority to examine evidence related to the marketing of settlement properties.
However, critics argued that referring the matter to the advertising regulator was insufficient and called for a broader legal investigation into whether any UK laws had been breached.
The UK, alongside countries including France, Canada, Germany, and Italy, has repeatedly stated that Israeli settlements in occupied territory violate international law, a position rejected by Israel.
The UK recently joined several Western allies in imposing sanctions on individuals and organisations linked to settler violence in the West Bank, though it has not imposed a broader ban on trade involving settlement products.
The venue hosting the event, a synagogue affiliated with the United Synagogue, has also come under review. The UK's Charity Commission said it is assessing complaints related to the event and determining whether any regulatory action is required.
According to sources connected to the synagogue, the event was a third-party hire, and organisers had been assured beforehand that all properties being marketed complied with English law.