We cannot feast while there is famine.
140+ Palestinian groups call for boycott of Airbnb dirty money
To Humanitarian Groups and Non-Profits Receiving Airbnb Funds:
Say No to Dirty Money
Posted on behalf of Al Haq and the Palestinian NGO Network
November 19, 2019
Al-Haq and the 146 members of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO), in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, refuse all funds from Airbnb, and we call upon humanitarian groups across the world to join us in solidarity. Airbnb, your funds are tainted by your complicity in perpetuating the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.
We recall when Airbnb stood up for Palestinian rights – almost. One year ago today, on 19 November 2018, Airbnb announced that it would no longer list accommodations in unlawful Israeli settlements in the West Bank, in a move to end Airbnb’s complicity in Israel’s unlawful colonisation of the West Bank. And we remember when Airbnb backed down, and agreed to continue listing vacation rentals on land stolen from Palestinians. Adding insult to injury, Airbnb then announced that the profits from the listings on occupied Palestinian land would be given to humanitarian groups.
Donating profits generated from the proceeds of crime does not make the appropriation of Palestinian lands any more legal or ethical. Mr. Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, did not reply to an Al-Haq letter dated 13 November 2019, requesting that Airbnb “remove all listings in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), from your website”.
We say no to dirty money. We say Airbnb has no business violating international law. We say Airbnb cannot whitewash its role in the illegal occupation of Palestinian land through corporate charity. We say no more profiting from stolen land.
Join us and say no to Airbnb’s dirty money.
Please find here Al-Haq’s Letter dated 13 November 2019 to Mr. Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb.
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