West Bank land: Hundreds of Palestine supporters protest Israeli real estate event at New Jersey synagogue

[cbabe]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/11/new-jersey-israel-palestine-protest-real-estate

Hundreds of Palestine supporters protest Israeli real estate event at New Jersey synagogue

Real estate company, called My Home in Israel, boasts luxury apartments for sale across Israel and the occupied West Bank

Maya Yang
Mon 11 Mar 2024 09.33 EDT

Hundreds of people marched through the suburb of Teaneck, New Jersey, on Sunday, in protest of a real estate fair held in the Keter Torah synagogue that featured an Israeli company pitching properties in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Organized by several Jewish organizations including the Northern New Jersey branch of Jewish Voice for Peace, along with Teaneck for Palestine, the protestors marched 1.4 miles from the Teaneck Armory to the synagogue, waving flags, beating drums and chanting “Free Palestine!”

The real estate company, called My Home in Israel, has organized several exhibitions across cities in Canada and the US, including Teaneck, a commuter town on the outskirts of New York City. According to its website, the company boasts luxury apartments, mini penthouses and villas for sale across Israel and the occupied West Bank. At least two apartment complexes offer an “urban living experience in a perfect environment” in the settlement of Ariel, near the West Bank city of Nablus.

In its Frequently Asked Questions page, the company says that a foreign resident “can carry out a real estate transaction in Israel, from start to finish, even without coming to Israel”.

…more…

[dutch777]

1. Gotta wonder what would happen if a Palestinian or any Muslim wanted to buy in the West Bank?

Given the majority of the newer Israeli developments in the West Bank are illegal under international law, not sure these should be even allowed to be offered in the US. I suppose in Israel proper, no issue although I ask the same question, can I if Muslim buy in?

[Basic LA]

2. Great question

Maybe someone should test this. Would make a great 60-Minutes segment. Can an indigenous Palestinian surreptitiously buy into an illegal settlement on stolen land?

[Mosby]

3. There are many different groups living in the settlements

Last edited Thu Mar 14, 2024, 04:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Including Arabs and Palestinians.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Little noticed amid the furor over one of Israel's most contentious policies, a small but growing number of Arabs are moving into Jewish settlements on occupied land in East Jerusalem, drawn by cheaper rent and better services.

For decades, Israel has encouraged Jews to settle in East Jerusalem, changing the population balance, provoking Palestinian anger and drawing international condemnation.

But in one such settlement, around Mount Scopus where the Hebrew University is based and many Palestinians study, about 16 percent of residents are either Arab citizens of Israel or Palestinians, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

"Really it's not a matter of ideology," said Rawya Mazal, an Israeli Arab realtor who sells or lets properties to Palestinian families in a nearby settlement at French Hill. "It's about convenience, living close to campus or making an investment."

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0JL0D6/

The settlements are a lot more diverse that people realize, families are just looking for housing they can afford.

[Basic LA]

5. Thanks for that E. Jerusalem update.

Maybe now they can sell Occupied West Bank illegal housing units from Dearborn Michigan mosques as well as NYC-metro-area synagogues.
Seriously, though, thanks for that info. GTK.

[Mosby]

6. The settlements are pretty diverse, a lot of them are not messainist Jews

They are "economic settlers" who are looking for affordable housing. Israel has a bad housing bubble right now, like other places including the US.

[Basic LA]

7. It's illegally Occupied land.

And is not theirs to "settle" on. That's the whole problem. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Mosby]

8. The settlements are probably illegal.

You're not wrong. It makes the final disposition of the land dispute more complicated.

[Basic LA]

9. Thanks for a genial exchange.

I learned a few things. I wonder often what my Jewish late wife Mara would have made of this horrible moment in history.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Is Charles Kushner involved (Jared's father)?