Airbnb, the popular vacation rental website, announced that it’s planning to remove listings in the “Occupied West Bank” - in other words, territories that Israel captured from Jordan in 1967. The site has seemingly decided that Israel’s pre-1967 borders should delineate where tourists to the region are able to stay. Any listings outside those borders - land whose final status is currently formally under negotiation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority - are being removed.
That’s a shame, because Airbnb has built a global following on the promise of freedom and helping people see the “real” side of places they visit by avoiding hotels and getting a taste of local life. Now it doesn’t seem to trust its own customers.
I’ve used Airbnb to book an apartment in Jerusalem, and I’m not sure whether I’d be able to find the same great place to stay today. The truth is, the apartment my family and I stayed in was in central Jerusalem, and I’m just not sure which side of the 1967 border it was on. In today’s unified Jerusalem where all people are free to go, it’s hard to tell. I remember walking through the area with my Israeli cousin, and hearing her reminisce about how dangerous that downtown part of the city used to be. Jordan controlled the eastern half of Jerusalem, including the Old City, and didn’t allow any Jews to live or even to visit its territory. Snipers used to shoot from the Jordanian side of the border into the Jewish areas of Jerusalem, killing civilians. I was shocked when a friend once explained that her mother grew up an orphan: their family lived along the pre-1967 border in Jerusalem, and Jordanian snipers killed both her parents, who were civilians.
Does Airbnb really want to go back to that?
When I stayed in my Jerusalem Airbnb I had Jewish and Arab neighbors. Arabs and Jews walk freely in the streets, where before 1967 Jews were forbidden to set foot. I was able to walk from the apartment to the Old City of Jerusalem, which is teeming with tourists from all over the world and is home to Jews, Muslims and Christians. That wasn’t the case before 1967, when Jordan didn’t allow Jews to worship at holy sites like the Western Wall, when Jews whose families lived in the Old City for centuries were forced out, and when Jewish synagogues and cemeteries were desecrated and destroyed.
It’s particularly galling that Airbnb would take the step of banning listings from outside of Israel’s pre-1967 borders because the site lists thousands of vacation rentals in other areas that are disputed and that have terrible human rights records.
In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, occupying areas where Greek families had lived for centuries, and continuing to occupy them to this day. 150,000 Greeks were forced out of northern Cyprus, to be replaced with ethnic Turks. Yet today Airbnb offers listings like a “Beautiful three bedroom house with a pool” in Girne, Cyprus, an area currently under illegal Turkish rule.
In 1976, Morocco annexed the Western Sahara, a region that continues to fight for its independence and whose sovereignty has been recognized by the UN. A 2018 US State Department report documented the use of torture in Western Saharan areas by Moroccan forces. That hasn’t prevented Airbnb from listing vacation rentals in the disputed territory, including a “Bungalow Deluxe Triple” in the Moroccan-occupied Western Saharan city of Dakhla, which is specifically mentioned in the State Department report as a site of tension and poor human rights.
Airbnb’s decision to cut off Israeli listings is tragic. It limits travelers’ horizons instead of expanding them, and it spreads the false assumption that somehow out of the 191 countries that list on Airbnb, the Jewish state is uniquely problematic and in need of censure. At a time of rising anti-Jewish sentiment worldwide, that is a terrible message to convey.
Now that Airbnb is no longer listing Israeli vacation rentals outside of Israel’s 1967 borders, we’re all going to have to be more creative, finding hotel listings and vacation rentals on other sites. Let’s take a stand by making sure our next vacation is in Israel, and spend some of your time in a vacation rental in Judea and Samaria.
And follow the advice of Michael Oren, an Israeli Member of Parliament and deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office: “Airbnb’s policy is the very definition of anti-Semitism. No one should use its services.”
(29) Anonymous, December 5, 2018 6:50 PM
REALLY APPALLING - no airbnb for me!
What is WRONG with the???
(28) Anonymous, December 1, 2018 10:04 AM
Wrong examples
Compare Israel with invading countries is not a smart choice. Israel was defending itself from agression. Would Palestines accepted the terms of the 1948 agreement we wouod not be discussing this now.
(27) Carol Vail, November 27, 2018 6:37 PM
Airbnb Superhost in Ohio disassociates from Airbnb
I have been an Airbnb superhost and made thousands of dollars in association with this organization. That is, until this week. As a pro-active act of standing with Israel, I have now cancelled my association with Airbnb and taken my listings off their market. I will not accept one more cent in association with an organization that assumes to know what is best for its customers and itself by boycotting Israel. I need to support Israel more than I need the money I could make through Airbnb. It is my fervent wish that all Airbnb hosts and travelers with a heart for Israel will do the same.
(26) Brian Sass, November 25, 2018 11:34 PM
It is dangerous for Airbnb to enter politics
I will be seriously reconsider using Airbnb if they take this stance
(25) LarryB, November 22, 2018 7:17 AM
It is better to book your rooms direct
I believe this is a blessing in disguise. I Never use third party agency’s for booking hotels or anything. Last week while I was in California I listened in to a conversation the manager was having with another well known online travel companies for hotels and such, offering great rates. Well this company over booked the hotel I was staying in a total of 19 rooms. This was a chain hotel and the manager told this company that no he would not pay the 200 per room to them and it was their mistake not the hotels. They threatened to remove them from their website and he said please do and they have. In the long run it will be better for the hotel and their customers to contact the hotel direct. I can’t imagine scheduling a hotel room in another country just to be told when I got there that sorry, there booked and that I would have to deal with Airbnb with my problems. That could be really expensive. As a side note we got our room in California cheaper than what some online travel companies showed as the price.
(24) Barry Wilson, November 22, 2018 7:13 AM
beyond politics AirBnB is a criminal organization
Air BnB like Uber became popular because it fed people's greed. cheaper fees because it broke the laws that actual hotel's, motels, Real BnB's have to adhere to. While Uber is worst, they both have no concern for customers except to increase patronage through artificially low fees. That it alienates Israelis, is not surprising by a company that does not care about anything but profit. Stop using this illegal service. and if Israel has uber, don't use that either. All the best
(23) Nechamah Pascal, November 21, 2018 2:27 PM
Use VRBO instead
We should all switch to VRBO (vacation rental by owner) for all vacations
(22) Shirley Dellerson, November 21, 2018 1:53 PM
No Political Statements plz
Not your decision to make - Politics and policies are for those who use your site and services - No pace here for that
(21) Sabbahillel, November 21, 2018 2:35 AM
Checked Airbnb listings
I just searched on Airbnb for Yerushalayim, Chevron, and Golan Heights Israel, and all three showed listings. Did they give a date when they plan to make this change?
(20) Anonymous, November 21, 2018 1:25 AM
I would suppose that airbnb's decision is based on a desire to refrain from profiting from an illegal occupation. As the vast majority of the international community, including the UNHRC, has condemned Israel's settlements as a violation of international law, it seems like a prudent business decision.
However, your shifting of the focus of this issue to other locations is not completely without merit; I second your proposal that airbnb should avoid operating in territories with continuing human rights abuses and contested administrative rights, such as the Western Sahara.
I can't imagine being able to enjoy a vacation knowing that my rental is available at the expense of homeless Palestinian refugees. Since 2005, 96% of the over 4000 fatalities in the conflict were Palestinians.
Is it not enough to displace families, steal land that doesn't belong to Israel, and kill civilians? Now we must condemn corporations for making ethically responsible choices? Let's take down all the wind turbines, exploit more animal species, and promote sweatshop labour because if it's allowed to happen somewhere, then it should be allowed to happen everywhere?
Dovid R, November 21, 2018 9:42 AM
not accurate
Although you are right that Airbnb would be well justified to exclude all illegally occupied territories, the West Bank is simply not one of them. We have a lot of material disproving this common misconception. Please see these links:
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/Ten-False-Assumptions-Regarding-Israel.html
http://www.aish.com/jl/li/ji/The_Truth_about_the_West_Bank.html
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48898917.html
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48892832.html
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48939282.html
It's also really not fair of you comparing how many fatalities there are on each side to decide who is "right" or even the aggrieved party in this conflict. How about considering that 99% of the terrorist attacks in the area come from the Palestinians? Please do not fall into the typical trap of claiming that Israel retaliates "disproportionately" because it actually fights back (and exists) and is (thank God) militarily superior. It is further a well-established fact that Palestinian terrorists hide behind civilians, for the cynical reason of increasing casualties and gaining world sympathy. Perhaps, rather than counting the greater number of Palestinian casualties, we should simply see this as a case where the good guys are actually winning (thanks to much help from Above) - while at the same doing its best to minimize civilian casualties and damage.
Respectfully.
Anonymous, November 21, 2018 11:04 AM
Thank You for the articles
I read the first article the 10 Myths, 100% there are some errors.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has a quote, or at least it did, by Menachim Begin about the first strike that Israel took in '67.
He said, they had a choice.
I respected that, so much, when I first heard his words, in their entirety, because they were truth.
It is misleading to say Israel was attacked, Israel took the first strike, this in indisputable, period.
It is disingenuous to state otherwise.
Also, U.N. Resolution 3414 in 1975, called for Israel's withdrawal of the Occupied Territories.
The international community views West Bank as occupied.
The suffering of the Palestinians, Arabs, whatever label you want to use, the are Human Beings, people, is unbearable, for them, on a daily basis.
For 50 years.
Say if you want, yes, but we are choosing this, for thus and such... but do not invalidate their pain, lest the rest of the world invalidates ours.
The Rabbis taught love for the state of Israel first, and nuance second.
Sometimes, the nuance has been left out, and it is unfair to everyone.
Dovid R, November 21, 2018 11:46 AM
a few responses
Thanks for your follow-up. Here are a few further points to consider.
(1) Israel's Arab neighbors had amassed troops on Israel's border before the Six Day War and were openly calling for its destruction. Egypt (which Israel first attacked) had already closed the Straits of Tiran - an undeniable act of war. I know this issue has been long debated, but from Israel's perspective it would have been folly to wait to first be attacked. Note also that Syria and Jordan did attack Israel first (foolishly believing Nasser's propaganda that he was crushing Israel).
(2) The articles and videos I shared certainly demonstrate that whether or not the occupation is illegal is subject to serious debate. Even the Oslo Accords state that such matters as determining final borders must be negotiated by the relevant parties working together. It is hardly for Airbnbs to rule (based on oversimplified propaganda). All that accomplishes (as well as BDS in general) is to give the Palestinians little reason to negotiate - since they get their opinion validated without having to lift a finger.
(2) We certainly don't mean to invalidate the pain of the Palestinians. But it is wrong to blame Israel for it and to make simplified claims such as that we should simply "walk away" from the Occupied Territories and "give them back" (to Jordan?).
To be honest, it is squarely the fault of the Palestinian leadership that there is no peace with Israel today or even decades ago, and that as a result the Palestinians continue to suffer. (I'm sure you're familiar with the "three no's" of the Khartoum Resolution.) Here are some articles on that topic:
http://www.aish.com/jl/li/ji/The_Truth_About_the_Peace_Process.html
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/104843234.html
I hope this was helpful!
anonymous, November 21, 2018 3:10 PM
10 Myths Anonymous
You may not have realized I was not the original Number 20 anonymous poster, you are responding to two, and thank you again for the articles.
I want to say I first heard about the pressure on Air BNB, 2 years ago, from a video asking people to boycott them because they were listing rentals from West Bank, occupied or disputed, what have you, territory as within the Green Line, inside Israel.
Ahed Tamimi, much younger, was in the video, saying "don't come to my occupied land."
So, the Air BNB pressure from activists has been ongoing.
It is wrong in my opinion, to say this is based on anti-Semitism. There is no hatred here, on the part of AirBNB. They did not want to be associated with human rights violations, (as believed by some) - the Palestinians in Area C like Ahed Tamimi are forbidden to go near the settlements, and claim the land, including the water spring that started her family's protests, is stolen from them.
And according to International Law, an occupier cannot move its citizens onto occupied land.
Ahed Tamimi has been called Shirley Temper, by Israelis, who claim her "antics" are Pallywood.
This is a disrespectful response to a teenager who has lived under checkpoints, home raids, the killing of her loved ones in front of her, identity cards, and frankly a lack of mercy when she slapped a soldier, who had shot her cousin, leading to a medically induced coma, to survive, and came to her yard. She did not go to him.
I see a complete lack of caring, from some, -oh, Palestinians don't love their children, and the de-humanizing of children, who are better able to tell their story now, because of the internet.
When you listen to them, you realize, they don't need to be taught how to feel, they are living the pain, everyday, also just trying to survive.
Thank you again, for your responses. I appreciate them.
Anonymous, November 22, 2018 2:10 AM
Well Said
G-d bless you.
Anonymous, November 21, 2018 2:42 PM
Reality Check: A new type of "trolling?"
White supremacists sometimes act as "troll"s, finding websites that mention Jews or Israel and making sure to start cyber fights with their comments. I started to notice a similar trend, where comments are posted as though they were compassionate, and academically sound that are actually the "enlightened" stream of antisemitism looking for propoganda opportunities ("trolling"). Each time I see them I will now try to stop and talk to G-d about helping me and others to see the truth of things and to be able to think, say, (write)and do things that are truly good for individuals and humanity. It's important to pray and thank for moral clarity for oneself and blessings of clarity for others
anonymous, November 21, 2018 3:17 PM
I have not seen that here
But, I have seen other Jews, concerned with differing viewpoints, called self-hating.
I agree with the beautiful idea, to Pray for clarity and wisdom. May HaShem soften hearts and minds.
Anonymous, November 21, 2018 8:44 PM
To "I have not seen that here"
I am referring to the post of Anonymous, Nov 21, 2018, 11:04am, that says "Thank You for the Articles" as it's title, and then starts, "I read the first article the 10 Myths...". That is the "trolling" I saw here (among other posts) and was referring to. Such "discourse" as that is an example of a seemingly civilized and "compassionate, moral" vehicle for what is actually defamation of Jews, and advancement of the destruction of Israel. The good part is that it reminds me to keep going to G-d to help save us all, and keep thanking Him. I agree with you, the quick label "self-hating Jews" that you HAVE noticed when people fly off the handle (by contrast, the "trolling" is crafted to NOT be noticeable, but to sound intellectual) is not a helpful response to the awareness that Jews, and many people with good intentions (often very, very "educated" people) can fall into the propaganda, and put their resources to work against Jews, and for terrorism. Wow. There's a lot going on here. Thanks for your affirmation of my value of connecting to G-d for clarity. I pray to be successful in having good information and making good choices as much as possible, and am particularly happy and grateful when we bless each other for the same. Together, we bring Moshiach, when there will be no war of military or media, but the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d. Thanks everyone for doing your part to help make it happen. G-d sent us here with this mission. When we go back to Him, talk to Him, thank Him, try to learn His Torah and do His mitzvoth, we see miracles.
Anonymous, November 21, 2018 10:34 PM
Not a Troll
Seriously, that post is not from a "troll."
Please be mindful of your words and your conclusions. Unless, it is your intention to be hurtful.
Also, please understand there are observant Jews who are not Zionists. Do not conflate or replace Judaism with Zionism.
Best to you.
Anonymous, November 22, 2018 1:31 AM
That post & number 20 ARE propaganda
disguised within academia, in a way that jeopardizes the lives of Jews and innocent Arabs as well. There's a very insightful, easy to read book called "A Sheep's Tale" by Gadi Pollack that illustrates that we are not saved by ideologies (such as Zionism-- I don't know why someone who calls out anti-semitism is assumed to be a Zionist) but by staying connected to the "Shepheard", of course, Hashem. Again, it's up to individuals to talk to G-d, and He will enlighten our eyes to not fall for propaganda that hurts Jews and Arabs , East and West alike, and is couched in "scholarship" like in the posts I pointed out. Try filling up a gratitude journal thanking G-d. Women, light Shabbos candles and ask for world clarity, healing and Moshiach. Then we'll really get somewhere, not right, left, not man-made politics, but centered on G-d, true peace and goodness. What a blessing! "Thank You, Hashem!"
anonymous, November 22, 2018 1:50 AM
Alright Enough
Every day of my life I aim to let the Garments of my Soul, my thoughts, words, actions be a Kiddush HaShem, a Sanctification of HaShems light in the world.
My great-grandfather was a Kohen.
I have taught Torah for decades and Kabbalah as well.
Your words are hateful.
We are in exile because of in-fighting, our Temples were destroyed because the Shechina fled.
There is a book by Satmar Rebbe "The Empty Wagon"
you might like to read.
Zionism is not Judaism, and criticizing the Israeli policies of government is not anti-Semitism.
You can bully other Jews all you like, IfNotNow, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Satmars, the Netura's, Chabad, even does not celebrate Yom Haatzmaut, it is not on their calendar, and whomever else disagrees with you.
It doesn't help anything. It isn't of Torah.
G-d help us.
I won't post here again, but the shame on you.
anonymous, November 22, 2018 1:53 AM
You got what you wanted
Calling someone a Troll marginalizes tHem and shuts them up.
Let me know if the Still Small Voice of HaShem comes through to you, when you Daven.
(19) Anonymous, November 21, 2018 12:58 AM
It all reminds us to pray
When I read about things like this, I pause and talk to G-d, thanking Him for letting many see the truth and stand up for it; and that I know He has a plan, and we should please get there, to His salvation. Those who love G-d love Israel. We are grateful for this, and for all the big and small seeming things in our lives. Any questions, each person does well to quietly pray for clarity, and find an act of goodness and kindness to do, give a smile, help bring Moshiach.
(18) Anonymous, November 20, 2018 11:45 PM
Clarification Question
Just so I can understand the facts properly, wasn't the reason why AirBnB removed those properties is because owners were discriminating by renting to Israelis but not Arabs?
(17) Miryami, November 20, 2018 10:19 PM
Another add to my boycott list
I agree with you and Michael Oren, am really getting sick of the attempt to make anti-Semitism cool and mainstream. Also, I don't boycott for a day. Still trying to decide if I should take Whole Foods off the list now that Amazon owns it!
(16) Samson Ben Yoseph, November 20, 2018 7:46 PM
Arabs
Every time I read anyone including Israelis saying "palestine or palestinians" I can tell this scam will never end.
They are ARABS not some different race from the imaginary country of "palestine" that for some reason for over 2 thousand years has had Jerusalem right in the middle with the the Jewish history and the history of Arabs,Romans,and Greeks trying to make it part of their country and if any of them do not need it that would be ARABS since they already have a long list of countries.
(15) anonymous, November 20, 2018 6:46 PM
I am not comfortable
with all the things said about Israel, apartheid wall, occupation, siege. It is the Jewish State; I don't care about Cypress etc., they are not connected to me as a Jew in the same way. When the government changed to far right, they abandoned the 2 state solution. Just to be clear, to avoid the leftist comments, I am Modern Orthodox, we lean right. But, this is too much. A lot of Israelis want the occupation ended also.
Anonymous, November 20, 2018 11:56 PM
who abandoned the 2 state solution?
opinion polls show something like 65% of israelis would make peace now if it was possible. please lets look at who really abandoned the 2 state solution. how many times were the arabs offered a state and turned it down? at no time after the 2nd intifada have the arabs even pretended to be interested at peace. look at gazaa, there is no occupation there, total withdrawal , where is the peace? we need to be honest about who is not serious about the 2 state solution. The current policies are simply a reaction to arab intransigence.
(14) Asher, November 20, 2018 6:38 PM
I've only had bad experiences with them.
I tried to book a place this past summer but was greatly disappointed in their policy.They refused to return a deposit even though it was requested within the time period that they stated.
(13) Anonymous, November 20, 2018 6:25 PM
They didn't really have much choice
Human Rights Watch has been speaking with them for two years. The pressure from Human Rights groups has been ongoing for two years. This isn't really about hatred of Jews, anti-Semitism. It is occupier vs, occupied and that the settlements are illegal in West Bank while there is a military occupation. Calling everything anti-Semitism is a terrible idea and harmful. It clouds the water, toward real anti-Semitism. It was a business decision. They were not quick to arrive at it, either. The real issue is you can't keep the Palestinians occupied forever.
Anonymous, November 20, 2018 6:50 PM
It IS anti semitism
BDS is anti Semitic. And so is calling settlements in Judea and Samaria “illegal”. They are not. Under international law (the Mandate for Palestine), Israel holds better title to all of Judea and Samaria and all of Jerusalem than any other entity.
anonymous, November 20, 2018 9:37 PM
That is not how I understand it
In '67 Israel made the first strike in the war, thinking Egypt was preparing for war, first, and took Gaza from Egypt and West Bank from Jordan.
In Oslo, that was to result in a State for the Palestinians within 5 years, that did not happen, leading to the 2cd intifada, sections A,B,C were created. Area C is still under 100% full military control and there are U.N. Resolutions for Israel to go back to the green line, and to halt on settlements.
Going back to Balfor, the people already residing in historic Palestine, were not to be displaced.
Deir Yassin massacre and the war in '48, led to the inhabitants either fleeing or being forced out; they remain as refugees.
It is simply untrue that Palestinians did not have title to the land in West Bank.
Anonymous, November 20, 2018 11:51 PM
nonsense
As the article points out, even if it were the case that the area is illegally occupied (it is not ) airbnb has no problem doing business in other areas which have illegal occupations. if there is a double standard you have to ask why, why is only the jewish state being singled out for this policy....
anonymous, November 21, 2018 2:57 AM
Don't Care
As a Jew, I expect a certain level of things from the modern state of Israel.
Like my Mother used to say: I don't care what the other kids are doing; you are my concern.
The occupation is harming the collective Soul of the Jewish people, and that includes all of us.
Also, it is your opinion the settlements are illegal; many others disagree.
End the occupation.
Dvirah, March 14, 2019 8:11 PM
Not Apt At All
I have only just read this article, so my reply is late; yet I hope it will have value for future readers.
From the anonymous writer's words, my impression is that the writer accepts the double standard imposed on Israel by Airbnb & similar entities. That, of course, is the writer's privilege. But the analogy with which the writer justifies that acceptance is not apt to the situation.
Parents are responsible for the upbringing and education of their own children and are held accountable for what only those children do, both in Jewish law and in society at large. Thus her mother could rightly state that her concern was with her own offspring and not other people's children. But Airbnb does not stand in relation to Israel as a parent to a child. Airbnb is a global company with worldwide customers providing worldwide service. It should therefore have a unified policy with respect to all its locations.
That Airbnb would remove from their listing sites in Israel while retaining sites of the same category in other countries can only be called a bias; and since the target of that bias is the Jewish state, it is rightly designated the anti-Jewish bias denoted antisemitism.
(12) Anonymous, November 20, 2018 6:25 PM
Please sign
https://www.change.org/p/airbnb-do-not-delist-judea-and-samaira-rentals?recruiter=10792&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
(11) Refoel Dovid Davis, November 20, 2018 6:22 PM
What about Crimea which was annexed from Ukraine by the Russian Federation nearly 5 years ago?
A quick search brought up this quaint Crimean property on Airbnb: "PRIVATE ROOM · 16 BEDS Village house seashore curative mud Price $16 per night" The amenities of this lovely property include: "The spacious dining room. where you can eat Ukrainian borsch, delicious dumplings and much more other, good vacation with children. afternoon swim in the warm shallow bay of the Black Sea smearing curative mud and blue clay. and in the evening over a cup of tea, watch the sunset and inhale the aroma of fresh herbs and flowers from the terrace of the village there is cows and goats, you can have a fresh new milk, in season a lot of natural fruits and vegetables." Need I say more?
(10) David Elazar, November 20, 2018 4:58 PM
AirBnB has locations in Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus has been occupied by Turkey since 1974. Write to AirBnB asking them why they have locations there, in Famagusta, for example.
Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. It is recognised only by Turkey and not by the international community.
(9) KP, November 20, 2018 4:47 PM
Give us the alternative
Bring on competition - a listing service that charges 1% to host - capped and 5% to guests - also capped.
Someone needs to take on AirBNB - and create a truly market responsive site
This is the AirBNB that also promotes "non discrimination" - except when it chooses to discriminate. Disgusting.
(8) Roger Starnes, November 20, 2018 3:27 PM
AISH
I love reading, AISH. Thank you.
I remember well when I heard that Jerusalem was back in Jewish hands. I was in the Marine Corps on a Mountain top in Southeast Asia; it was big news to us all.
We are with you.
(7) KASEY ELLIOTT OCONNOR, November 20, 2018 3:19 PM
Just bypass air bnb
If you can get Israel to unite on something I would just dump air bnb and create your own listing site. Anyone with $0.02 of IQ can see it is nothing but anti semitisim no matter how they try to window dress it; just like the whole BDSgarbage movement. You could even sub head the site; AIR BNB tried to crush free Israel, but we wont fold, or something like that. FIGHT BACK. And while your at it, dump the democratic party that is now openly supporting anti semitisim after these last elections. Get the word out to Christian Organizations that really support Israels right to exist, that could be a real megaphone for your cause. As for me, I'm done with air bnb. Kasey
(6) Anonymous, November 20, 2018 3:13 PM
Boycott AIRBNB
Boycott Airbnb
Anonymous, November 20, 2018 4:55 PM
YES, boycott
Yes, to boycott AIRBNB would be the right response!!!
Also Jewish people should boycott any other company who boycott Israel!!!! Jewish people from England already doing it,
(5) Simon Weiner, November 20, 2018 3:02 PM
Sadly - it seems Airbnb 'owners' are Jewish
I did a bit of research and found them on the list of Jewish billionaires who have signed a pledge to donate most of their wealth. Seems they have found places for people to stay - but they themselves have lost their way!
(4) Lia Rostenne, November 20, 2018 2:53 PM
Use the Jdira.com instead
I encourage everyone, hosts and guests, to take advantage of this insult by airbnb to list with the Jewish owned JDira.com instead.
(3) Colleen, November 20, 2018 2:47 PM
Borders
Hi, I thought your article was great, but wonder if Airbnb wants to remove listings in that area due to safety concerns so they don't in turn find themselves sued in case of death to a renter?
What do you think?
Laya, November 20, 2018 3:04 PM
It is an act of anti Semitism
There are plenty of dangers throughout the world including mass shootings in LA, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas, right? Colleen, come to visit Israel and visit the communities, they are among the safest. Their neighbors are not safe, unfortunately. I noticed that Ramallah, one of the deadliest Arab towns still has listings on Airbnb. (I am serious about the invitation to come visit! :-) )
(2) Brian Fink, November 20, 2018 2:43 PM
Good article BUT no such thing as 1967 borders only 1948 armistice lines (at the Arabs insistance).
(1) Anonymous, November 20, 2018 8:14 AM
This was from BDS pressure
This battle has been going on now for several years.
Pro Palestinian groups have put pressure on them to remove listings (and 200 West Bank listings are scheduled to be removed) because International Law cites the settlements as illegal on stolen Palestinian Land, while West Bank remains occupied under Israeli military control, Area C, 100%, and Palestinians wanted those areas for their future State.
While the land disputed the company feels it is the best solution.
I hope a resolution will be forthcoming.
Stanley Tee, November 20, 2018 6:46 PM
Wrong
There is no international law that cites the settlements as illegal. At most, they are on disputed land. In fact under international law (the Mandate for Palestine) Israel has clearer title to all of Judea and Samaria and all of Jerusalem than any other entity. With the Arab rejection of UNGA resolution 181 in 1948,the Mandate remained the only international law on the subject.