Met Police Review Probe of Israeli Travel Agency at London Expo

The Metropolitan Police in London have received a formal request to investigate the presence of an Israeli agency at a major international travel event. The agency is responsible for promoting tourism in Jerusalem and managing construction projects in occupied territory. This inquiry centers on the World Travel Market, which runs until Thursday.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians sent a letter to the Met Police war crimes team on Tuesday. The group asked for urgent consideration of preventative measures regarding the Jerusalem Development Authority. This statutory body operates a stand at the exhibition through its platform, iTravelJerusalem. The authority is linked to the expansion of settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

Since 2023, the agency has partnered with Finn Partners, a global marketing firm. They advertise Jerusalem as a tourist destination in Britain. The legal letter highlights concerns about the commercial relationship between the authority and event organizers. It suggests organizers may receive exhibition fees from an agency implicated in settlement activities.

Protests accompanied the event on Tuesday. Activists from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered next to the Israeli stand. They held a banner stating that every settlement is a war crime. Video footage showed security guards physically removing two activists from the venue during the demonstration.

Ryvka Barnard, deputy director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, called the Israeli state's presence an utter disgrace. She noted that the foreign secretary previously acknowledged the illegality of the occupation. Barnard said the current situation tests whether the Labour government will intervene and call for criminal investigations.

This development follows a letter sent on Monday by fifteen members of parliament to the British government. The MPs demanded urgent action to remove exhibitors promoting illegal settlements. This request comes after the UK recognized the occupation as illegal and announced sanctions on settlements last month.

Hussam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to Britain, said Israeli companies involved in ethnic cleansing would be platformed at the market. He urged the UK government to enforce its commitments. The Metropolitan Police and event organizers have been sought for comment regarding the ongoing controversy.