Jerusalem Development Authority to advertise at London travel fair

The World Travel Market London event will feature a stand promoting the Jerusalem Development Authority, an agency integral to construction projects in occupied East Jerusalem. The trade show is scheduled for 3 to 5 November and includes a booth operated by the Israeli government tourist office. This upcoming exhibition places the JDA in the same promotional space as other Israeli companies and organizations, specifically iTravelJerusalem, which manages tourism in the occupied territory.

The JDA serves as a statutory body for both the Israeli government and the Jerusalem municipality. It oversees development initiatives across the city. Its portfolio includes the expansion of settlements on occupied Palestinian land. A 2025 report from the Office of the European Union Representative for the West Bank and Gaza Strip noted specific plans by the JDA. The agency intended to evict the Umm Haroun compound, home to roughly 40 Palestinian families, to build a 320-unit settlement in Sheikh Jarrah.

Critics have long scrutinized the agency's operations. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement stated in 2020 that the JDA expropriates land in occupied East Jerusalem to build Biblical parks. The group claimed that hundreds of Palestinians face displacement in violation of the Geneva Conventions. The movement also cited the JDA's role in expanding the Gilo settlement. In 2020, the Israeli government approved a JDA cable car project in Jerusalem. This scheme involves removing trees and shifting water, sewage, and telecommunications infrastructure. It proceeds despite local opposition and the exit of four foreign companies.

Emek Shaveh, an Israeli NGO, described the cable car project as a threat to Palestinian communities in the historic core. The organization argued that the central motivation is to consolidate the settlers' hold on the area. They stated the goal is to displace Palestinians from the Historic Basin and reshape the cultural landscape. The JDA is also planning a settlement housing project near the Palestinian community of Beit Safafa. Additionally, the agency promotes the renovation of the Mamilla Pool tourist site. Critics say this renovation threatens a centuries-old Palestinian Muslim cemetery.

The stand at WTM London is also shared with Africa Israel Hotels. This entity was previously part of the Africa Israel Group and has participated in settlement projects in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In June, the British government referred the Great Israeli Real Estate Event to the advertising regulator. This followed a report that properties in illegal settlements were advertised at that London event. In August, it emerged that the regulator had not opened an investigation into the matter.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband addressed the issue in parliament in September. He stated that a few miles from the Houses of Parliament, an expo advertised illegal settlement land. Miliband declared that the UK must ban the advertising of illegal settlements in the country. In 2010, the UK advertising regulator banned a campaign by the Israeli tourist press office. The regulator found that pictures of East Jerusalem implied the occupied territory was part of Israel, which was likely to mislead consumers.

The British government recognized Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory as illegal last month. The WTM London website describes the event as the world's most influential travel and tourism gathering. It aims to bring together the international leisure travel industry to inspire and create opportunity. The website states that the event is where travel professionals connect and partnerships are built. WTM did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.