Airbnbtoremovelistings for West Bank settlements
Home-rental company Airbnb announced Monday it would remove its listings in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, prompting outrage from Israeli officials.
The company said it will take down
200 listings and cease its operations in Israeli settlements “that are at the core of the dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians.” It was not immediately clear when the removal would take effect.
In response, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan called on Airbnb hosts affected by the decision to file lawsuits in accordance with the country’s anti-boycott law.
“National conflicts exist all over the world,” Erdan said. “The senior management of Airbnb will have to explain why they specifically, and uniquely, chose to implement this political and discriminatory decision in the case of citizens of the state of Israel.”
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin slammed the decision and ordered his office to restrict Airbnb’s activity throughout the country. He also instructed the ministry to ramp up its tourism programs in West Bank settlements.
The company had previously defended its operations in the West Bank by saying they were in accordance with U.S. law and its own mission “to bring people together in as many places as possible around the world.”