Another Take: Why is land in the West Bank being sold off to US citizens?

This episode of The Take revisits a deeply controversial practice: the sale of real estate in the occupied West Bank to U.S. citizens through events held in American synagogues, particularly in Teaneck, New Jersey. Host Kevin Hurtin interviews Rich Siegel, a New Jersey-based activist and musician, who has been leading protests against these real estate fairs for over 15 years. Siegel reveals that these events, often framed as 'redemption of the land' or 'coming home' for Jews, are not only morally indefensible but also violate U.S. federal and state laws, as well as international law. He recounts going undercover to a real estate fair in Long Island, where he and a friend were treated as potential buyers—complete with a sales pitch and the ability to sign documents—before revealing their Palestinian solidarity and being ejected. The episode exposes how religious institutions are being used to legitimize illegal settlement activity, while local authorities and law enforcement have failed to act, even when misled about event cancellations. The discussion is framed against the backdrop of the October 7th attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza, which have intensified both support for Israel and resistance to these fairs, sparking broader national awareness and activism. The episode underscores a growing reckoning within the American Jewish community, where once marginalized voices supporting Palestinian rights are now gaining traction. Siegel notes a significant shift in public perception: where supporting Palestine once invited suspicion, it now resonates with many who see Israel’s actions as genocidal and unjust. Despite resistance from a tightly knit, right-wing Zionist enclave in Teaneck, the movement to stop these fairs is growing. The episode concludes with a powerful call to action—challenging the normalization of illegal land sales and the use of religious spaces to promote political agendas that violate both law and ethics.