New York (QNN)- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has come under scrutiny after his office commented on an infamous real estate event held at a synagogue in Manhattan that promotes land sales in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
A spokesperson for Mamdani, Sam Raskin, told Drop Site News that the mayor strongly opposes the real estate expo that markets property in West Bank settlements considered illegal under international law. He said the administration rejects the promotion of land sales tied to settlement expansion, which he stressed are linked to the ongoing displacement of Palestinians.
At the same time, the spokesperson stressed that Mamdani remains committed to ensuring “safe entry and exit” to all places of worship. He also emphasized that the city will protect access to religious sites and uphold First Amendment rights.
The statement has sparked debate over a clear tension in Mamdani’s position. Critics point to a contradiction between condemning such activities while also pledging strong protection for the place where they are carried out.
The comments come as “The Great Israeli Real Estate Event” takes place in Manhattan, where organizers are promoting property sales in Gush Etzion, a bloc of settlements built on the ruins of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank widely regarded as illegal under international law.
The event offers legal, tax, and banking services to potential buyers, who should only be Jewish, and aims to attract individuals interested in purchasing land in the settlements. Organizers have hosted similar events in the past, often triggering protests and counter-protests outside participating venues.
This year’s event is being held at Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side, a decision that has intensified backlash due to the use of a religious institution as the venue for an act of ethnic cleansing.
The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly affirmed since 1979 that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories have no legal validity and obstruct peace efforts, with similar resolutions reaffirmed in 1980 and 2016.
Previous demonstrations near similar events have led to accusations of antisemitism against protesters, particularly when gatherings take place near synagogues. Protest organizers have rejected those claims, arguing that criticism targets settlement activity, not religious institutions.
The issue has also prompted political responses in New York City. Earlier this year, the City Council passed legislation aimed at "regulating protest activity" near places of worship, citing rising tensions around these events.
The controversy surrounding the real estate expo also intersects with wider international developments. Investigations by Drop Site News have revealed that the stolen land sale event is organized by a group that received undisclosed funding from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raising questions about transparency and Israeli influence laws in the United States.
