Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemns New York expo promoting West Bank settlement sales
Updated
Updated · The Intercept · May 5
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemns New York expo promoting West Bank settlement sales
8 articles · Updated · The Intercept · May 5
At Tuesday's event at Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, reporters saw one company market homes in Kfar Eldad, Karnei Shomron and other West Bank settlements.
Mamdani's office said such settlements are illegal under international law and tied to Palestinian displacement, while also stressing safe synagogue access and protesters' First Amendment rights.
The expo, part of similar North American property fairs, drew planned pro-Palestinian and counter-protests as New York awaits an NYPD worship-site protection plan under a new city law.
Does New York's new law protect houses of worship, or shield controversial events from legitimate protest?
With settlements deemed a 'war crime,' how are their properties openly sold in Manhattan?
Controversy and Conflict: NYC’s Park East Synagogue Event Highlights Israeli-Palestinian Tensions
Overview
On May 5, 2026, the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan hosted a real estate expo promoting property sales in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, sparking protests by pro-Palestinian activists who condemned the event as illegal land sales. Pro-Israel counterprotesters also gathered, deepening community divisions. The NYPD managed the tense situation with barricades, guided by a recently enacted buffer zone law designed to protect houses of worship during protests. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the expo for violating international law but faced criticism for not fully using his executive powers to disrupt settlement financing. The event highlights New York City's complex role as a local stage for the global Israeli-Palestinian conflict, balancing free speech, community safety, and political tensions.