Vacation home rental website Airbnb recently announced a decision, that it is going to remove its listings located in the “Occupied West Bank”, meaning the facilities located in yishuvim throughout Yehuda and Shomron. Israel was quick to fire back, with Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin calling the decision “discriminatory and disgraceful surrender” to the BDS movement.

On Thursday, Ma’anit Rabinovich, an Israeli who advertised her apartment on Airbnb, filed a lawsuit against the company at a Jerusalem court. She argues that the decision represents a “grave, offensive and outrageous discrimination.” Her suit points to disputed territories where Airbnb continues to operate, such as Tibet and northern Cyprus, among others.

Rabinovich is suing for 15,000 ($4,000) shekels in damages. Israel’s tourism minister encouraged Israelis to sue the company.

There is also an online petition addressed to the president, CEO and CFO, calling on them to reverse the shocking decision.

The European Jewish Association (EJA) and the pro-Israel lobby in Europe (EIPA) are fighting against the “hypocrisy of Airbnb” with a legal and political campaign backed by members of the European Parliament.

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…UNLESS you are from the "Occupied West Bank Settlements" in #Israel… @airbnb #airbnb #boycottairbnb

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In view of the Airbnb’s announcement about the company’s decision to remove rental ads for apartments in Yehuda and Shomron from the company’s site, EJA Chairman and EIPA Founder, Rabbi Menachem Margolin addressed a harsh letter to the CEO of the company, Brian Chesky, demanding the cancellation of the decision that discriminates between Yehuda and Shomron and other areas of the world that are considered politically controversial, in which Airbnb does not live up to what it defined as “social responsibility.”

In the letter, Rabbi Margolin notes that: “Airbnb pollutes the important value of” social responsibility “and makes it a hostage to BDS terrorism. In an examination we conducted yesterday, a day after your shameful announcement, the company under your direction is publishing properties in Gibraltar, North Cyprus, Western Sahara, Kashmir and even the Falkland Islands, and therefore I must ask why you decided to act only against Israel – the Jewish state? in your announcement you stated that as an industry leader, Airbnb must weigh its impact on the local population and act responsibly. Which brings the question – what is your attitude towards millions of Spaniards, residents of Western Sahara, Northern Cyprus and Argentines?

Rabbi Margolin emphasized: “In addition to the fact that you are preventing the livelihood of Palestinians employed in the maintenance of these apartments in Israel, your decision has no moral basis – only a surrender to BDS terrorism, and you are acting in complete contradiction to existing legislation in some European countries. Please note that If the decision will not change, we will act with all the legal and political means at our disposal to make it clear to you that surrendering to BDS terrorism is not economically worthwhile, “said Rabbi Margolin in his letter to the CEO of Airbnb.

Rabbi Margolin notes that in addition to the aggressive response to Airbnb, the pro-Israel lobby in the European Union (EIPA) is working to enlist senior officials in the European Parliament and the EU Commission to prevent the boycott and to support legal action as long as the shameful decision is not changed. “The MEPs we spoke with were staggered when we proved to them that, contrary to the sanctimonious claim of Airbnb, this is not a general moral step, but only a boycott of Judea and Samaria,” said Rabbi Margolin.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)