An Israeli organisation accused of supporting illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank has appeared at a major event in London despite growing calls for sanctions from British politicians.
Shivat Zion, an Israeli charity that has previously offered assistance to British Jews interested in moving to settlements in the West Bank, was photographed at an “Aliyah Fair” held at Saracens Rugby Stadium in London.
The event, organised by the World Zionist Organisation, is designed to help British Jews emigrate to Israel by offering advice on employment, housing and financial support.
However, the appearance of Shivat Zion at the London gathering has reignited controversy following an undercover investigation published last month by Declassified.
The investigation claimed the organisation had praised “awesome” illegal settlements and suggested supporters could potentially benefit from UK tax subsidies through charitable donations.
During the investigation, Shivat Zion’s “encouragement” officer, Jonathan Vigné, was reportedly filmed discussing support available for settlers relocating to Efrat in the occupied West Bank.
The findings triggered calls from MPs for sanctions to be imposed on the organisation, as well as on Vigné and the charity’s chief executive Shraga Evers, who reportedly lives in Efrat.
One Labour politician said: “Strong government action is required to put an immediate end to this matter.”
Despite the criticism, the UK government has so far declined to comment directly on the organisation.
The Foreign Office stated: “It is the UK’s longstanding policy not to speculate on potential sanctions designations.”
Meanwhile, the Home Office said: “We do not comment on individual groups.”
Speaking in Parliament last month, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “No one should be building illegal settlements on the West Bank. It is essential that everyone abides by international law.”
“We would expect any organisation in the UK and people living in the UK to abide by international law,” she added.
An anti-Zionist activist who attended the event criticised the decision to allow the group to participate.
“It was horrifying to see Shivat Zion being given this platform, given what it has said about illegal settlements,” the activist said.
“That this is happening supposedly ‘in our name’ as Jews, is sickening to those of us who mean it when we say: never again.”
The event was also attended by Israeli Minister of Aliya and Integration Ofir Sofer, whose ministry reportedly had a stall at the fair. Sofer has previously supported financial incentives for new immigrants settling in the West Bank.
His political ally, Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist party, has already been sanctioned by the UK over what the government described as “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities”.
The British government has repeatedly stated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.
Last week, the UK Chargé d’Affaires to the United Nations described settlement expansion as a “flagrant violation of international law” that “must cease”.
Shivat Zion has denied wrongdoing and rejected the claims made in the undercover investigation.
In a video posted online, the organisation described the investigation as a “trap” designed to “make it look as if we tried to convince people to make Aliyah, specifically to Judea and Samaria, which is simply not true”.
The group added: “We are an apolitical organisation and work in accordance with Israeli law. But if someone has decided on a specific city in Israel, we help them. It’s their individual decision.”
Questions have also been raised over possible UK tax benefits linked to donations for the organisation after reports suggested contributions could be processed through UK Toremet Ltd, allowing donors to claim Gift Aid.
The Charity Commission said it is now “assessing if any information published gives rise to new concerns about UK Toremet Limited.”
