Booking.com
World's largest online travel platform, listed by the UN Human Rights Council for facilitating settlement activities by listing rental properties in illegal Israeli settlements. Subject to criminal investigation in the Netherlands following complaint alleging money laundering in connection with settlement listings.
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Material Risk Framing
Frame your message around business risks. These talking points resonate with corporate stakeholders and institutional investors.
UN Human Rights Council listing and criminal complaint in the Netherlands create significant brand damage exposure; 'Stop Booking Apartheid' campaign targeting company directly
15% commission on settlement property bookings constitutes potential proceeds of crime under Dutch law; EU Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act compliance creates regulatory pressure points
Dutch Public Prosecutor investigating criminal complaint for money laundering from war crimes proceeds; ICJ July 2024 Advisory Opinion affirms settlement illegality, increasing corporate legal exposure
EU designation as Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under DSA creates transparency and moderation obligations; company reversed settlement warning labels after Israeli government pressure in 2022
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 Hotel Booking
Book directly with hotels to avoid platform fees and ensure ethical choices
Book Direct with Hotels
Global
Contact hotels directly for best rates and to verify ethical policies
Often cheaper than platforms; can ask about ethical policies directly; supports hotels not platforms
Small Independent Hotels
Location-dependent
Support local independent hotels rather than chain properties
Supports local economies; often more authentic experience; direct relationship with owners
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
Abraham Hostels (Verify Current Status)
Middle East
Hostel chain in the region - verify current ethical status before booking
Research current ownership and policies before booking
Comparison Legend
Strategic Analysis
In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.
Lower severity, high vulnerability — momentum builders that fold quickly
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.
Booking.com represents a high-vulnerability consumer target due to its active criminal investigation in the Netherlands, UN Human Rights Council listing, and EU regulatory exposure. As the world's largest online travel platform (parent Booking Holdings: $23.7bn revenue, 2024), the company's settlement listings directly enable occupation tourism on stolen Palestinian land, generating commissions from properties Palestinians are legally barred from accessing.
Key Leverage Points
- Active Criminal Investigation: Dutch prosecutors are investigating money laundering charges; a conviction or even prolonged investigation creates sustained reputational and legal pressure
- EU Regulatory Exposure: Designation as Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under DSA and gatekeeper under DMA creates transparency obligations and regulatory scrutiny points
- Consumer Switching: Travel booking is highly commoditised; consumers can easily switch to alternatives with minimal friction (vulnerability score: 9/10)
- ICJ Precedent: July 2024 ICJ Advisory Opinion affirms settlement illegality and calls on states to prevent economic activities perpetuating occupation, strengthening legal arguments
Evidence Summary
Investigative journalism by Follow the Money documents Booking.com listings across 12 illegal West Bank settlements, 7 settlement neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem, and 28 settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The Guardian's August 2024 analysis found 760 rooms across Booking.com and Airbnb capable of hosting over 2,000 guests in illegal settlements. The company earns approximately 15% commission on each booking, constituting potential money laundering under Dutch law as proceeds derived from war crimes. Human Rights Watch has documented that these properties operate under conditions of apartheid: Palestinian landowners whose property was seized cannot even book stays at these properties due to checkpoint restrictions.
Engagement Strategy
Focus consumer messaging on the active Dutch criminal investigation and ease of switching to alternatives. Emphasise that booking through the platform directly funds occupation by generating commissions on stolen land. Target EU regulators with complaints under DSA/DMA regarding platform responsibility for illegal content. Support the 'Stop Booking Apartheid' campaign through social media amplification and direct consumer action. Engage institutional investors in Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) with ESG concerns regarding money laundering exposure and regulatory risk. The ICJ Advisory Opinion provides authoritative legal framing for corporate responsibility arguments.
Evidence & Sources
Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.
Booking.com listed among 158 companies in updated UN database for involvement in illegal Israeli settlement activities. First listed in 2020.
Open sourceAl-Haq, SOMO, ELSC, and The Rights Forum submit new evidence to Rotterdam prosecutors citing ICJ July 2024 Advisory Opinion affirming settlement illegality.
Open sourceExclusive analysis finds 760 rooms in hotels, apartments and holiday rentals in illegal Israeli settlements across West Bank and East Jerusalem, hosting 2,000+ guests.
Open sourceDutch Public Prosecutor announces investigation into criminal complaint accusing Booking.com of money laundering from war crimes proceeds in illegal settlements.
Open sourceInvestigative journalism documents Booking.com listings in 12 West Bank settlements, 7 East Jerusalem settlement neighbourhoods, and 28 Golan Heights settlements.
Open sourceSOMO, ELSC, Al-Haq, and The Rights Forum file criminal complaint in the Netherlands accusing Booking.com of laundering profits from Israeli war crimes in Palestine.
Open sourceBDS Movement launches targeted campaign calling for boycotts, lobbying, peaceful disruptions, and strategic litigation against Booking.com.
Open sourceUpdates & Milestones
- UN database updated with 158 companies
UN Human Rights Council updates settlement business database; Booking.com remains listed alongside Airbnb, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.
- Additional evidence submitted to prosecutors
NGO coalition submits additional evidence to Rotterdam prosecutors citing ICJ Advisory Opinion to strengthen money laundering case.
- Digital Markets Act compliance deadline
EU designation as gatekeeper requires Booking.com to comply with Digital Markets Act obligations, creating additional regulatory pressure.
- ICJ Advisory Opinion
International Court of Justice rules Israeli occupation unlawful and calls on states to prevent economic activities perpetuating settlements.
- Dutch prosecutors open investigation
Dutch Public Prosecutor announces intention to investigate criminal complaint against Booking.com over settlement listings.
- Criminal complaint filed in Netherlands
Coalition including Al-Haq, SOMO, ELSC, and The Rights Forum files criminal complaint accusing Booking.com of money laundering from war crimes proceeds.
- Warning labels reversed under Israeli pressure
After Israeli government pressure, Booking.com changes 'occupied' to 'conflict-affected' and applies warnings to Palestinian properties too.
- Settlement warning labels announced
Booking.com announces it will label Israeli settlements as 'occupied territory' and warn of 'increased risk to safety and human rights'.
- UN Human Rights Council listing
Booking.com first listed in UN database of companies involved in illegal Israeli settlement activities.