Statement on the Sale of Properties in Israeli Settlements at Paris Real Estate Fair

On 9 March, an ‘Israeli’ property sales fair was held in Paris ‘dedicated to Jews from France who are thinking of moving to Israel’. These are the words used by the ‘Israeli’ marketing agency Garkan to present the Icube show devoted to Israeli real estate. The event is held every year.

The Garkan agency is offering properties for sale in an ‘Israeli’ settlement in the occupied West Bank. The property offered for sale is located in the ‘Avnei Hefetz’ settlement in the north-west of the West Bank, near Tulkarem. 

This project is contrary to international law since on 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice, in an advisory opinion, affirmed ‘Israel’s’ illegal occupation and colonization of the territories of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem since 1967. 

According to the French media outlet Blast, for years the French authorities have repeatedly condemned plans to colonise the Palestinian territories and plans to expel Palestinians. Despite these previous condemnations, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Prefecture of Paris has intervened against the sale of property in ‘Israeli’ settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. On the contrary, the Prefecture of Paris set up a security perimeter to allow the event to take place. France is failing in its obligation to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law by allowing this event to take place.

The ‘Israeli’ real estate agency used this AI-generated image to show the union between France and ‘Israel’. It is important to note the deliberate use of the image of Islam’s third holiest site: Al Aqsa Mosque. The holy site is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, which has been occupied since 1967. The use of such a symbol is significant as Al Aqsa is widely considered a symbol of resistance for Palestinian Muslims. The agency appropriates this key Palestinian monument and uses it as a symbol to represent Israel in the same vain it has used classic national monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe to represent France.

It is also written « stay connected with ‘Israel’ » which is a message clearly targetting French Jews to encourage to invest in illegal settlements. This image shows that ideology of  colonisation, occupation and apartheid regime are adopted not only by the authorities but also by every sphere of society. Every component of ‘Israeli society’ continues to advance the occupation and colonisation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

This event is taking place at a time when the process of colonisation in the occupied West Bank is steadily increasing, almost to the point of annexation of the territory by the occupying state. 

Since the war waged by Israel in Gaza, acts of violence by the occupying forces and settlers have multiplied in the occupied West Bank. The army of occupation has not stopped carrying out armed incursions and attacks in the refugee camps, particularly in Jenin, Nablus and Tulkarem. The Jenin refugee camp has even been blockaded on several occasions, with no one being able to enter or leave for several days. Recently, the occupying forces have stepped up the destruction of infrastructure in the West Bank, particularly in the refugee camps. 

The ‘Israeli’ government’s desire to dismantle the West Bank is more than current. Following the ceasefire, new checkpoints were installed in the occupied West Bank, including three new checkpoints around the village of Deir Jerir, near Ramallah, cutting off the village from neighbouring villages. Since 7 October, the main roads leading to Ramallah had already been closed by the occupying forces, forcing Palestinians to change and lengthen their daily journey to Ramallah. Little by little, Palestinians in the West Bank are being cut off from each other.

Not to mention the proliferation of acts of violence and attacks by settlers. Since 7 October, settlers have become more violent towards Palestinians, and have increased their attacks on Palestinians and their property. In addition, a few days after 7 October, the ‘Israeli’ Minister for National Security, Ben-Gvir, himself distributed weapons to the settlers so that they could protect the settlements.

At the same time, the ‘Israeli’ Finance Minister, Smotrich, wants to annex the West Bank settlements and is waiting for the green light from the White House to speed up the process. Promoting property fairs enabling French Jews to invest in Palestinian land by buying a house in the settlements of the occupied West Bank is contrary to international law, and in particular to the ICJ opinion of 19 July 2024. 

All these actions together prevent the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies totally disapproves of this project and its consequences.