Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion presented Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija with the “Jerusalem Ambassador in the Diaspora” award during a gala evening, which concluded the “Coming to Jerusalem” real estate fair in Manhattan on Thursday.
The real estate fair, an event designed to encourage attendees to buy property in Jerusalem, was sponsored by the Jerusalem municipality and the Israeli Builders Center.
Lion praised Avdija for representing the State of Israel as a public figure in the US and for bringing pride to Jews and Israelis worldwide.
“Deni Avdija is not only an extraordinary athlete, first and foremost, he is an ambassador at heart and in spirit for the State of Israel and our values,” Lion said.
“On the court and beyond it, especially during this challenging time, Deni proudly represents the strong and beautiful face of our nation. Presenting him with the Jerusalem Ambassador award is our way of thanking him on behalf of Jerusalem and the millions of Israelis and Jews around the world who draw inspiration from him every single day.”
Protesters claim Jerusalem is selling ‘illegal real estate’ and recruiting ‘settlers’
Throughout the day on Thursday, before Avdija was given the award, the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation Al-Awda in New York City and New Jersey (PAL-Awda NY/NJ) protested outside the Manhattan hotel where the real estate fair was held.
The anti-Israel group, which frequently organized protests against Israeli real estate events, asserted in a social media post on Wednesday that the exposition exclusively focused on the Israeli capital was selling “illegal real estate” and recruiting “settlers.”
“All-out to protest Jerusalem real estate expo of stolen Palestinian land and settler fair,” PAL-Awda wrote on Instagram. “We will not be silent as land theft occurs inside our neighborhoods.”
Michael Starr contributed to this report.
