Moti Karmel is an Israeli real estate developer and prominent figure in the settler movement, best known as the chairman of Ateret Cohanim, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 that focuses on purchasing and developing properties in East Jerusalem to establish Jewish settlements in areas with Arab majorities, such as the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and neighborhoods like Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah. Under Karmel's leadership since at least the early 2000s, Ateret Cohanim has acquired dozens of buildings and apartments through complex legal and financial maneuvers, aiming to reinforce Jewish presence in territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. These activities have frequently led to evictions of Palestinian residents and heightened tensions in the region, drawing international criticism for exacerbating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Karmel's work with Ateret Cohanim is supported by significant funding from abroad, including through the Central Fund of Israel, a U.S.-based nonprofit that channels donations to settlement-related causes. He has been involved in high-profile property disputes, such as the 2021 Sheikh Jarrah evictions, where Ateret Cohanim sought to reclaim land based on pre-1948 Jewish ownership claims, sparking protests and legal battles that reached the Israeli Supreme Court. Critics, including human rights organizations like Peace Now and B'Tselem, have accused the organization of employing aggressive tactics, such as using anonymous shell companies for purchases and allegedly pressuring tenants, though Karmel and Ateret Cohanim maintain that all actions are legal and aimed at historical redemption.

Beyond Ateret Cohanim, Karmel has a background in real estate development in Israel, though specific business ventures outside the NGO are less documented. His Orthodox Jewish faith and commitment to religious Zionism drive his activism, positioning him within Israel's right-wing settler networks that advocate for expanded Jewish control over contested areas. Despite the controversies, Karmel's efforts have garnered support from segments of the Israeli government and diaspora Jewish communities, contributing to the broader influence of settlement organizations in shaping Jerusalem's demographic landscape. Karmel's work has drawn criticism from Palestinian groups, international observers, and some Israeli peace advocates, who accuse the organization of displacing Arab residents and exacerbating regional tensions. Despite legal challenges and international condemnation, Ateret Cohanim continues its operations, with Karmel playing a central role in its strategic direction, leveraging his real estate background to navigate complex legal and financial aspects of property acquisition in disputed territories.