On Monday, January 30, 2023, a wide shot captures the West Bank Jewish settlement of Efrat. There's growing worry among some Palestinian Canadians regarding an Israeli real estate exhibition, scheduled for its second stop in Canada near Toronto on Thursday. The exhibition seems to be promoting land in the occupied West Bank. Previous events have sparked protests, and this upcoming one is causing deep concern among the Palestinian Canadian community. The photo credit goes to THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mahmoud Illean.
Ghada Sasa was overwhelmed with emotion upon discovering that an Israeli real estate exhibition touring Canada was advocating for land in the occupied West Bank. Sasa, a Palestinian Canadian whose roots trace back to the West Bank, plans to join protests against the Great Israeli Real Estate Event scheduled at a Thornhill synagogue.
The event's brochure indicates discussions on real estate purchases in various locations, including Israeli cities and settlements in the West Bank, which the international community, including Canada, considers illegal. Sasa, deeply affected by the promotion of land sales, expressed her anguish, condemning the attempt to sell Palestinian land in Canada.
With over 500,000 Israelis residing in West Bank settlements alongside millions of Palestinians, the construction of settlements has escalated under the current right-wing Israeli government. Recent sanctions imposed by the United States and Britain on Israeli settlers accused of mistreating Palestinians reflect growing international concern. Sasa, unable to register for a previous event, voices frustration at the inability to counter these sales and vows to attend the upcoming event with fellow Palestinian and Muslim Canadians.
Thornhill marks the final Canadian stop for the Israeli Real Estate Event before heading to the United States. A lawyer is exploring legal avenues to prevent similar events promoting settlement land sales in Canada. While protesters chant outside the synagogue, inside, realtor Natalia Birnbaum discusses investment opportunities, prompted by increased interest in Israeli properties following recent conflict escalations.
Birnbaum reports a rising fear of antisemitism in Canada, prompting interest in moving to Israel among her clients. Despite the controversy, she clarified her firm did not promote West Bank properties at the event. The organizers of the event were unavailable for comment.
Reem Chahrour, another Palestinian Canadian, criticizes such events, particularly amidst ongoing conflict. Born into a family with a history of displacement, Chahrour finds the timing of these exhibitions disrespectful, given the loss of lives in the conflict. She emphasizes the need for sensitivity and respect, urging a halt to such events until peace is achieved.
