Airbnb
Global home-sharing platform listed by the UN Human Rights Council for facilitating settlement activities through rental listings in illegal Israeli settlements. After announcing it would delist settlement properties in 2018, Airbnb reversed course under Israeli legal and political pressure in 2019, demonstrating vulnerability to targeted campaigns.
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Apply pressure where it matters. Use these tools and personalise your message with evidence from this page.
- Contact Corporate LeadershipPre-filled letter templates for email or post
- Report New IntelligenceSubmit evidence of settlement listings or policy violations
- Share This ProfileShare on social media to raise awareness
- Download Research BriefingIn-depth analysis and engagement strategy
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Material Risk Framing
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UN Human Rights Council listing contradicts 'Belong Anywhere' brand values; 2018 reversal documented as capitulation to Israeli pressure, creating ongoing reputational vulnerability. October 2025 French criminal complaint alleging complicity in war crimes adds legal dimension.
Platform earns commission on settlement property bookings; October 2025 criminal complaint in Paris targeting Airbnb for complicity in war crimes creates financial exposure. Guardian investigation documents 350+ settlement listings generating ongoing revenue.
French criminal complaint (October 2025) accuses company of complicity in war crimes through 'occupation tourism'. ICJ July 2024 Advisory Opinion affirms settlement illegality, strengthening legal arguments. Multi-jurisdictional lawsuits filed over settlement listings.
'Belong Anywhere' brand mission directly conflicts with enabling tourism on stolen Palestinian land. Employee advocacy and internal dissent risk increases with sustained campaign pressure.
Product Alternatives
Ethical replacements tagged by what matters to you: cost, quality, ethics, sustainability, or local sourcing. Make the switch today.
Ethical Travel Booking Platforms
Travel booking platforms that do not list properties in illegal Israeli settlements
Hostel and budget accommodation booking focused on backpackers and budget travellers
Focused on hostels and budget accommodation; does not promote settlement tourism
Last-minute hotel booking app with curated hotel listings
Focus on quality hotels rather than settlement vacation rentals
Direct Accommodation Booking
Book directly with accommodation providers to avoid platform commissions
Book Direct with Properties
Global
Contact hotels and rental properties directly for best rates
Often cheaper than platforms; can verify ethical policies directly; supports hosts not platforms
Small Independent B&Bs
Location-dependent
Support local independent bed and breakfasts rather than large platforms
Supports local economies; often more authentic experience; direct relationship with hosts
Ethical Tourism Resources
Resources for planning ethical travel that respects Palestinian rights
Official Palestinian tourism portal promoting ethical travel to Palestine
Supports Palestinian economy directly; authentic cultural experiences
Comparison Legend
Strategic Analysis
In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.
High severity, high vulnerability — campaigns with the best chance of making an impact
Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).
Why do these scores change?
Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.
Airbnb represents a uniquely vulnerable boycott target due to its documented capitulation under pressure in 2018-2019, which demonstrates both the effectiveness of sustained advocacy and the company's susceptibility to coordinated campaigns. The company's 'Belong Anywhere' brand positioning creates a significant hypocrisy gap when contrasted with enabling tourism on occupied Palestinian land from which Palestinians are legally barred.
Key Leverage Points
- Proven Vulnerability: The 2018 reversal proves Airbnb responds to pressure - but also that counter-pressure can reverse gains. This creates a clear strategic objective: apply sustained pressure exceeding Israeli government counter-pressure.
- Brand Hypocrisy: 'Belong Anywhere' brand values directly conflict with enabling settlement tourism on land where Palestinians cannot belong, travel, or even book stays. This contradiction is powerful messaging.
- Multi-jurisdictional Legal Exposure: French criminal complaint (October 2025), prior US lawsuits, and potential EU regulatory action under Digital Services Act create multiple legal pressure points.
- Consumer Switching Ease: Accommodation booking is highly commoditised; travellers can easily use alternatives with minimal friction (vulnerability score: 9/10).
Evidence Summary
The Guardian's August 2024 investigation documented 350 Airbnb listings across illegal West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements, offering 760 rooms capable of hosting over 2,000 guests. These properties operate in settlements that the International Court of Justice ruled in July 2024 constitute an unlawful occupation, with the court calling on states to prevent economic activities perpetuating settlements. Airbnb earns commission on each booking, generating revenue from what Amnesty International describes as 'stolen Palestinian land'. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories has listed Airbnb among companies contributing to alleged acts of genocide through economic activity in settlements.
Human Rights Watch and Kerem Navot's 65-page report 'Bed and Breakfast on Stolen Land' traces the legal status of settlement properties, documenting that many are built on land confiscated from Palestinian owners who cannot access, let alone rent, their own property. When Airbnb attempted to delist these properties in November 2018, the Israeli government response was immediate and coordinated: Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan called for US anti-BDS laws to be enforced against Airbnb, while Tourism Minister Yariv Levin threatened to 'restrict the ability of Airbnb to work here'.
Engagement Strategy
Focus consumer messaging on the 2018 reversal as proof that pressure works, while emphasising that consistent, sustained pressure can achieve permanent policy change. The 'Belong Anywhere' brand provides ready-made messaging: 'Palestinians can't belong in their own homes that Airbnb rents out'. Target institutional investors with ESG concerns regarding legal exposure from French criminal complaint and ICJ Advisory Opinion. Coordinate with employee advocacy within Airbnb to amplify internal pressure. Support ongoing litigation and regulatory complaints. The company's proven sensitivity to reputational pressure makes sustained social media campaigns and consumer boycott particularly effective.
Evidence & Sources
Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.
League of Human Rights (LDH) files criminal complaint in Paris accusing Airbnb of complicity in war crimes through promoting 'occupation tourism' accommodations in illegal settlements.
Open sourceAirbnb listed among 158 companies in updated UN database for involvement in illegal Israeli settlement activities, alongside Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.
Open sourceInvestigation identifies 350 Airbnb listings (plus 52 on Booking.com) across West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements, offering 760 rooms hosting 2,000+ visitors.
Open sourceFrancesca Albanese's report to Human Rights Council lists Airbnb among companies contributing to alleged genocide through economic activity in West Bank settlements.
Open sourceAmnesty condemns Airbnb for continuing settlement listings, calling the company 'deeply compromised' by Israeli settlement properties built on stolen Palestinian land.
Open sourceHRW documents that Airbnb 'retreated from its commitment after lawsuits and political pressure', highlighting the company's vulnerability to sustained advocacy.
Open source65-page joint report traces land status of settlement rental properties, documenting 200+ listings in settlements including Shilo, Tekoa, Ariel, and occupied East Jerusalem.
Open sourceUpdates & Milestones
- French criminal complaint filed
League of Human Rights files criminal complaint in Paris accusing Airbnb of complicity in war crimes through occupation tourism.
- UN database updated with 158 companies
UN Human Rights Council updates settlement business database; Airbnb remains listed alongside Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.
- Guardian investigation: 350+ Airbnb settlement listings
Investigation documents 350 Airbnb listings offering 760 rooms across West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal settlements.
- ICJ Advisory Opinion affirms settlement illegality
International Court of Justice rules Israeli occupation unlawful and calls on states to prevent economic activities perpetuating settlements.
- Amnesty: Company 'deeply compromised'
Amnesty International releases statement ahead of Airbnb share listing condemning company for settlement property involvement.
- UN Human Rights Council listing
Airbnb included in UN OHCHR database of companies involved in illegal Israeli settlement activities.
- Amnesty International condemns reversal
Amnesty calls reversal 'deeply shameful abdication of responsibility' and 'another devastating blow for the human rights of Palestinians'.
- Airbnb reverses decision under pressure
Company announces it will not implement planned delisting as part of lawsuit settlement. Pledges to donate profits from West Bank bookings to humanitarian organisations.
- Israeli government and legal backlash
Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan threatens retaliation; Tourism Minister threatens to 'restrict the ability of Airbnb to work here'. US and Israeli lawsuits filed immediately.
- Airbnb announces settlement delisting
Company announces framework requiring removal of approximately 200 rental properties in Israeli-controlled settlements in the occupied West Bank.