In brief
At the World Travel Market in London, British anti‑war activists staged a protest outside the Israeli pavilion, accusing the booth of promoting tourism in illegally occupied Palestinian territories. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign called on the UK government to uphold its pledge to ban such promotions and urged Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to reaffirm his commitment. The incident highlights growing domestic pressure on Britain to address Israel’s settlement policies.
On Tuesday, a group of British anti‑war activists gathered outside the Israeli pavilion at the World Travel Market in London, chanting slogans and holding placards that read “Stop the occupation” and “Ban illegal settlements.” The demonstration was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which said the Israeli booth was promoting tourism in the territories it claims but Britain has declared illegal.
The campaign’s spokesperson written to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK had previously promised to prohibit the promotion of illegal Israeli settlements. “We urge the government to honour its commitments and clarify whether it will remain committed to banning such promotion,” the letter read.
Supporters claimed the Israeli pavilion's marketing materials depicted sites in the West Bank, calling the display a direct violation of British law. Protestors also carried banners referencing “Zionist regime crimes,” a phrase that the group said underscored the brutality of Israel’s occupation in their view.
In response, a spokesperson for the British government has not yet issued a statement, leaving the protest’s demands as unconfirmed by authorities.
The clash has drawn attention from several British MPs and human rights activists who argue that tourism promotion in occupied areas fails to comply with international law.
