London's Met Police not investigating Great Israeli Real Estate Event

London's Metropolitan Police are not investigating the Great Israeli Real Estate Event which took place on Sunday, Middle East Eye has learnt. 

The revelation comes after British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that ministers have asked the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate the event, which was held at the Edgware United Synagogue in London. 

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.

MEE understands the Met has received a referral relating to the event and has grouped it with other referrals relating to what the force calls the "Israel-Hamas conflict".

A Counter Terrorism Policing spokesperson said: “The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) War Crimes Team has received around 240 referrals relating to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict since 7 October, 2023."

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The spokesperson added: “At this time, there is no UK-based investigation into any matters relating to this particular conflict."

The spokesperson said the team would not comment "on the specific nature of each and every referral".

They further said: "Each and every referral made to the War Crimes Team is reviewed in line with War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity Referral Guidelines, jointly agreed by police and the Crown Prosecution Service."

Last Friday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I share concerns about the Great Israeli Real Estate Event taking place in our city, which I oppose, and that's why I've discussed this directly with the Met Police.

"I'm informed that any allegations of criminality relating to the potentially unlawful sale of property at the event would be assessed by the Met with a view to investigation."

'Blatant disregard of international law'

On Monday the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based legal group, sent photographs of brochures and leaflets advertising property in illegal settlements from Sunday's event to London's Metropolitan Police.

Orlaith Roe, the ICJP’s public affairs and communications officer, said n Monday: "This is a question not only about political will but also about the blatant disregard of international law, not only by Israel via promoting the purchase of properties in illegal settlements as part of their sovereign territory, but also by the UK government which positions itself time and again as a champion of international law."

In parliament on Tuesday, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper 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 because we take this so seriously.

"We have asked them now 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."

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