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Human rights

French Human Rights Group Accuses Airbnb and Booking.com of Complicity in Israeli Settlements

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A French human rights group, Ligue des droits de l'Homme, has filed a legal complaint against Airbnb and Booking.com, alleging that the platforms are complicit in promoting "occupation tourism" by listing accommodations in Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. The complaint, submitted in Paris, accuses the companies of enabling and facilitating the creation and expansion of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. The settlements have expanded since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, with over 500,000 settlers living in the territory, excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ligue des droits de l'Homme alleges that Airbnb and Booking.com are complicit in the aggravated concealment of war crimes by listing accommodations in Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories.
  • The settlements have expanded since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, with over 500,000 settlers living in the territory, excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.
  • The UN has identified 158 firms from 11 countries linked to activities in Israeli settlements, including Airbnb and Booking.com.
  • The Ligue des droits de l'Homme claims that the practices of both platforms constitute "assistance... to the concerted Israeli plan of colonisation and destruction of the Palestinian population".
  • Airbnb does not specify that the properties offered for rent are located in Palestinian territory, while Booking.com mentions that the accommodation is in Israeli settlements and is "in Palestine".
  • The UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has condemned major travel platforms that promote tourism which "legitimises annexation".
  • Other legal complaints have been issued against Booking.com in the Netherlands and against Airbnb in Ireland, the UK, and the United States.

Statistics:

  • Over 500,000 settlers live in the Palestinian territories, excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.
  • The UN identified 158 firms from 11 countries linked to activities in Israeli settlements, including Airbnb and Booking.com.
  • 402 listings for apartments, hotels, and houses in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were identified by The Guardian in February this year.
  • 350 of these listings were on Airbnb, 52 on Booking.com, and the total number of rooms available was 760, accommodating more than 2,000 people.

Sources:

  • Ligue des droits de l'Homme
  • United Nations
  • The Guardian
  • AFP News Agency

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