Homes in illegal Israeli settlements promoted at London property show that sparked protests

Sky News has obtained exclusive images that demonstrate illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank were being advertised at a controversial property show that attracted large protests in London on Sunday.

The photos show marketing materials handed out at the event promoting properties in Ma'Ale Adumin and Givat Zeev in the West Bank and Ramat Eshkol and Givat HaMatos in East Jerusalem. These settlements are illegal under international law.

Prior to the event, a spokesperson for the Great Israeli Real Estate Event strongly denied claims that any such properties would be promoted there. They told Jewish News: "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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The Green Line refers to the armistice line established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Since 1967, when Israel captured more territory in the Six-Day War, it has marked the dividing line separating Israel from the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza.

A member of Jewish Anti-Zionist Action – a UK protest group of pro-Palestinian Jews – told Sky News they obtained the marketing materials after signing up to attend the event.

"After passing through security, I was given a free tote bag and a booklet advertising the different real estate companies present at the fair that day," they said. "These companies included Yigal Realty, selling homes in the illegal settlement of Givat Zeev, and Tivuch Shelly, selling homes in Givat Hamatos and Ramat Eshkol, which are both settlements in East Jerusalem.

"I visited Tivuch Shelly's stall and was given a leaflet advertising properties in Ma'ale Adumim, which is an illegal West Bank settlement."

As exclusively reported by Sky News on Friday, more than 100 cross-party MPs and peers signed a letter calling on the government to stop the event last week, including 62 from Labour.

The letter highlighted a 2024 ruling from the International Court of Justice that said Israel should end its unlawful presence in the occupied territories and "emphasised that all UN member states are under an obligation not to recognise the occupation as legal and must not render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation".

The event's website had previously advertised properties that would be available for purchase in the West Bank, including the settlement of Gush Etzion, but those references were taken down after human rights groups raised the issue last week.

'Absolutely deplorable'

Labour MP Andy McDonald, Co-Chair of the Britain-Palestine APPG, co-ordinated the letter. He says their concerns have been vindicated.

"It's an absolute abomination that people have the audacity to come to our capital and trade in lands they do not own," he said. "How would it look if the Russians were here trading lands in Ukraine? I'm aghast that it is tolerated.

"It's imperative our government should act and respond – they shouldn't say to British companies they should not trade with settlements; they need to say they must not."

Long-serving Labour MP Clive Betts, who was also one of the signatories, said: "It's absolutely deplorable. Government policy is very clear that these settlements are illegal. They should be doing everything in their power to oppose their expansion. For an exhibition held in the UK to be advertising them is completely unacceptable. It's outrageous."

Hundreds of rival protesters gathered outside the event to protest in support and opposition to the event at Edgeware United Synagogue. 15 people were arrested.

The UK government states: "Settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

They are, however, authorised by the Israeli government.

The organisers of the Great Israeli Real Estate Show, as well as the estate agents Yigal Reality and Tivuch Shelly, have all been contacted for comment.

(c) Sky News 2026: Homes in illegal Israeli settlements promoted at London property show that sparked protests