Airbnb Should Introduce a 'Settlement for Unlawful Listings' Option
In a contentious turn of events, Airbnb is facing legal actions in the US, UK, and Ireland for its listings in Israel's illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The human rights groups leading the charges, including the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), Sadaka Ireland, and the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, claim that Airbnb continues to list over 300 properties in these settlements, despite a previous promise to remove them.
The controversy stems from Airbnb's use of the term "disputed territories," which critics argue undermines Palestinian sovereignty and supports the Israeli occupation. Ashish Prashar, senior advisor to the Middle East Peace Envoy, has criticised Airbnb's position, stating that it breaches the ruling of the International Court of Justice on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.
Airbnb defends its operations, claiming they are in compliance with applicable Irish and US laws. However, the human rights groups allege that Airbnb is facilitating business and handling money that is derived from war crimes, which is considered money laundering under UK and Irish law.
The groups' claims are based on the fact that the Israeli settlements are deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice, and are alleged to violate the Geneva Conventions and breach several international declarations. Furthermore, some of these properties were taken during the Nakba, which expelled nearly one million Palestinians from their homes.
The legal challenges against Airbnb come after the International Court of Justice ruled in July 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal. The groups argue that Airbnb's ongoing operations may amount to "money laundering by Airbnb of proceeds of Israeli war crimes."
The trio of human rights groups first filed a criminal complaint against Airbnb over its business in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2023, targeting the company's subsidiary in Ireland. More recently, GLAN and Al-Haq have lodged a criminal complaint with the UK's National Crime Agency against Airbnb over alleged money laundering charges related to the company's collection of payments for rentals in the Israeli settlements.
Airbnb's stance on the issue has drawn comparisons to that of Ambassador Huckabee, who is accused of calling for the ethnic cleansing of Occupied Palestine. Prashar, in his critique of Airbnb, made this comparison, highlighting the potential damage to the company's reputation and its role in the ongoing conflict.
In response to the criticism, Airbnb has reversed its decision to remove listings in Israeli settlements, allowing them since 2019. The company donates all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international nonprofit, following its global framework on disputed territories.
This ongoing legal battle between Airbnb and human rights groups underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the potential implications for businesses operating in the region.
Gizmodo published an article discussing the controversy surrounding Airbnb's operations in Israel's illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, highlighting the tech company's continued listing of over 300 properties in these areas and the subsequent legal actions against them by various human rights groups. The article also delved into the future of technology and sports companies operating in regions with political conflicts, as Airbnb's stance has drawn comparisons to controversial figures and has raised questions about money laundering.
