Jews protest outside talk by pro-settlement ‘extremist’

V ANTI-OCCUPATION JEWS blockaded a controversial lecture by a “Jewish extremist” pro-settlement organisation held in London.

Regavim has attracted criticism for its policy of pursuing legal action against construction undertaken by Palestinian or Bedouin communities in the West Bank which lacks official Israeli permits.

The group has also spearheaded demolitions of Palestinian villages and supports the appropriation of West Bank land legally held by Arabs.

One of its directors, Naomi Linder Kahn, addressed a meeting coordinated by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) on Sunday at a community centre in Kentish Town, London, which was met by a protest of 25 activists from anti-occupation group Na’amod. The event had been due to take place in September but was rescheduled after public pressure.

Na’amod protester Josh Cohen said: “The decision by UK Lawyers for Israel to welcome a far-right organisation to the UK demonstrates the depths of the moral crisis in our community when it comes to the occupation. Regavim doesn’t just support the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Israel and the West

Bank, it is actively involved in efforts to make this happen.”

In October, Regavim was condemned as “Jewish extremists” by Yachad, a UKbased, pro-two state solution group.

Yachad also said it was “disappointed” that UKLFI chose to host the group, pointing to the homophobic and antiLGBT politics of its co-founder, Israeli MK Bezalel Smotrich.

A UKLFI spokesperson said: “Naomi Linder Kahn… explained that Regavim has pursued legal action only in a few selected cases of illegal construction, representing a small proportion of the problem, and these have been both within the Green Line and in the West Bank.

“Regavim takes steps against Jewish as well as Palestinian and Bedouin violators, to ensure that vital resources are conserved for the benefit of all.”

The group distanced itself from Mr Smotrich, saying “the UKLFI Charitable Trust does not endorse and abhors any form of homophobia and racism”.

A Regavim spokesperson said: “We are Zionist, yes. We are nationalist, yes. We advocate equal and universal law enforcement. What is far right about that? The… statement that we support appropriation of any land legally held by anyone is ridiculous, unfounded.”