Mamdani Blasts Property Fair Selling Occupied Palestinian Land

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has condemned a real estate expo that helps prospective settlers buy land in the occupied West Bank.

The Great Israeli Real Estate Event, which was held at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan on 5 May, is a travelling expo that assists people from the US, Canada and UK relocate to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, providing help purchasing properties, getting a mortgage and finding schools. 

The expo’s website features references to a number of neighbourhoods, including Gush Etzion, a cluster of 20 Israel settlements in the West Bank that are considered illegal under international law. 

At the event, real estate development firm Harey Zahav showcased a map of properties in Kfar Eldad, Karnei Shomron and other Israeli West Bank settlements, with brochures showing homes in those areas, The Intercept reported. 

Mamdani slammed the event, saying: “When we have a real estate expo that is promoting the sale of land, which includes the sale of land in the occupied West Bank in settlements that are a violation of international law, that is something that I firmly disagree with.” 

Protesters, coordinated by Palestinian Assembly for Liberation (Pal-Awda), gathered near the synagogue, where a similar event was held back in November 2025. 

Police attempted to shut down several streets around the building, with footage shared on social media showing protesters being blocked with metal barricades and pepper-sprayed by officers.  

“We will not be silent as ethnic cleansing is being actively promoted in our neighborhoods,” Pal-Awda wrote on social media.

The expo is due to visit London on 14 June this year, according to its website. 

Tom Midlane is a freelance journalist.