Palestinian officials are pledging to take action against Airbnb over rooms for rent in settlements in the West Bank being listed on the website as located within Israel.
Dozens of Jewish settlers advertise their homes for rent in a number of locations across the West Bank.
Husam Zomlot, ambassador at large for the Palestinian government, says it is seeking an immediate change of policy from the company.
“Certainly we will take further action. This is strikingly illegal,” he tells AFP, accusing the company of “illegally profiting from occupation”.
An AirBNB listing in the settlement of Kfar Adumim, accessed on January 12, 2016. (Screen capture: AirBnB)
“Such acts by international firms and the private sector have been a main contributor to the continuity and escalation of the situation.”
US-based Airbnb declines an interview, providing only a short statement.
“We follow laws and regulations on where we can do business and investigate concerns raised about specific listings,” it says.
— AFP
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