Airbnb continued their condemnation of the boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) movement on Monday, while also standing by their policy of not working with property owners in the West Bank, a disputed territory in Israel.
There were reports pointing to a reversal of the initial policy on Monday, but Airbnb has disputed those claims. They said in a statement to TheDC:
The reports issued earlier today are inaccurate. Airbnb expressed its unequivocal rejection of the BDS movement and communicated its commitment to develop its business in Israel, enabling more tourists from around the world to enjoy the wonders of the country and its people. We are here to meet with a variety of stakeholders and as a result of our meetings have an even deeper understanding that this is an incredibly complex and emotional issue. Airbnb communicated that we are developing the tools needed to implement our policy and that process includes continuing our dialogue with the Government of Israel and other stakeholders.
The BDS movement describes itself as one trying to uphold “the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity,” but many accuse the movement of being anti-Semitic because it “rejects Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state,” according to the Anti-Defamation League. (Ocasio-Cortez Spox Refuses To Divulge Where She Stands On BDS Movement)
A Palestinian woman scuffles with Israeli troops during a protest demanding Israel to release Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi, near Israel’s Ofer Prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah December 28, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman
Last month, Airbnb decided that they would suspend all of the approximately 200 homes/apartments listed in settlements in the West Bank. In their announcement, the organization laid out a framework of five points that would determine whether or not the company should work in that region. (RELATED: The Guardian Equates Murdered Israeli Soldiers With Suspected Palestinian Terrorists Killed By Authorities)
The five points are as follows:
- Recognize that each situation is unique and requires a case-by-case approach.
- Consult with a range of experts and our community of stakeholders.
- Assess any potential safety risks for our hosts and guests.
- Evaluate whether the existence of listings is contributing to existing human suffering.
- Determine whether the existence of listings in the occupied territory has a direct connection to the larger dispute in the region.
Airbnb currently does not work in Crimea, Iran, Syria and North Korea, in accordance with international regulations. But they do have listings for disputed regions like Northern Cyprus, Tibet and Western Sahara.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island. Northern Cyprus is officially recognized only by Turkey. China’s dispute over Tibet’s own sovereignty has lasted for decades. Further, Morocco and Western Sahara have been engulfed in a decades-old feud after Morocco annexed the territory.