The Israeli government tourism stand at World Travel Market London showcases the Jerusalem Development Authority, which operates the "iTravelJerusalem" promotional campaign alongside Africa Israel Hotels. The agency has advanced multiple contentious initiatives, including a planned 320-unit settlement project in Sheikh Jarrah that threatens roughly 40 Palestinian families with eviction according to a 2025 European Union report. It has also promoted a controversial cable car system, housing near Beit Safafa, and renovations at the Mamilla Pool site. This commercial presence emerges shortly after the British government declared the occupation illegal and pledged measures to restrict domestic…
Key points
The international tourism exhibition is hosting an Israeli municipal agency directly invo…: The international tourism exhibition is hosting an Israeli municipal agency directly involved in contested settlement construction.
Participation by the agency conflicts with recent British government statements recognizi…: Participation by the agency conflicts with recent British government statements recognizing the occupation of Palestinian territory as illegal.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband previously pledged parliamentary action to ban United Kingd…: Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband previously pledged parliamentary action to ban United Kingdom advertising for illegal settlements.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
An international travel event in London is set to advertise the Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA), which is involved in the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and efforts to dispossess Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, Middle East Eye can reveal.
World Travel Market (WTM) London is scheduled to take place between 3-5 November and will feature a stand run by the Israeli government's tourist office.
According to WTM London's website, the stand is shared by numerous Israeli companies and organisations, including "iTravelJerusalem", which promotes tourism in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem and is managed by the JDA.
The JDA, a statutory agency of the Israeli government and the Jerusalem municipality, carries out development initiatives across Jerusalem and has been heavily involved in the construction and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory.
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement said in 2020: "The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) illegally expropriates Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem for the development of so-called Biblical parks.
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