JUDAISM is being “cynically deployed” to provide “cover for those profiting from genocide”, a Jewish pro-Palestine activist has claimed.
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network activist Oscar Leyens hit out at the “Great Israeli Real Estate Event”, at which illegally occupied Palestinian land was allegedly offered for sale, being hosted by a synagogue.
Speaking after protests outside the event saw 14 people arrested, Leyens said: “The event should have never taken place.
"That it was hosted by a synagogue only emphasises the continued way Judaism is being cynically deployed to provide cover for those profiting from genocide and theft of land from the Palestinian people.
“For myself and the many Jewish people who protested this event, we are disgusted that the hosts, organisers, and attendees have betrayed our history of resistance to racism and persecution. I’m proud we upheld our best traditions by opposing this disgraceful event.”
Concerns about the event were raised in the Commons last week, with the Foreign Secretary saying the UK Government would “pursue any issues” related to potential breaches of international law.
Speaking last week, Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “This Sunday, there will be a real estate event on UK soil that will openly sell land in the illegal West Bank settlement.
“It is really sad that the shadow foreign secretary talked a lot about Iran but did not have a word of sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian people.
“Can we please put an outright ban on trade with settlements, stop selling arms to Israel and strengthen the International Court of Justice? Its judges are routinely being threatened by the US administration.”
In response to a question from Richard Burgon on the same issue, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We are pursuing that particular event. If we find any cases where there are breaches of UK law, we will also pursue them. The wider issue is that nobody in the UK should be advertising illegal settlements.
“Nobody should be pursuing illegal settlements. No businesses or organisations should be getting involved in them.
"We have shown our willingness and determination to impose sanctions on organisations that do, just as we have set out today. We will continue to do further sanctions where we have the opportunity to do so, because support for illegal settlements is wrong.”
Jeanine Hourani, an organiser with the Palestinian Youth Movement, said: “In the last week, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper claimed to be acting against settler violence by preventing British businesses from conducting economic or financial activities with Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In response to the ‘Great Israeli Real Estate Event’, she claimed to be ‘pursuing that particular event’. But these are empty words given her failure to take action.
“Our peaceful demonstration, alongside anti-Zionist Jewish allies, was part of a broader Stop Stolen Land Sales campaign that will only get stronger. We have united civil society around our cause and will continue to mobilise all communities against the theft of our land – until it stops.”
Speaking to the Jewish News last week, a spokesperson for the “Great Israeli Real Estate Event” called claims the event was promoting illegal land sales “ridiculous allegations”.
Edgeware United Synagogue was approached for comment.
