2 days ago
Activists seeking review as AirBnB complaint dropped
A group of pro-Palestinian activists are seeking a judicial review against a decision by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) not to proceed with a complaint filed against AirBnB in August 2023.
The High Court challenge is part of a wider strategic action launched today, where five separate international legal challenges were launched against AirBnB over its alleged rental lettings in occupied Palestinian territory.
The action is led by Sadaka, the Ireland Palestine Alliance, and the Global Legal Action Network, who say AirBnB has over 300 rental properties in the occupied West Bank.
In Ireland, they are seeking a judicial review of the GNECB's decision not to launch an investigation into AirBnB Ireland in August 2023.
It alleged that AirBnB Ireland is in breach of Irish money laundering laws by profiting from lettings in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
The groups said the GNECB declined to open an investigation, stating that the complaint did not disclose an offence within the jurisdiction of Ireland.
AirBnb denies money-laundering accusations, stating that it operates in compliance "with applicable Irish and US laws".
A spokesperson for the company added that since 2019, it has "donated all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international nonprofit".
Speaking about the case, Independent Senator Frances Black said similar cases could be taken against other companies, unless the Government includes a ban on services with occupied territories in the Occupied Territories Bill.
She said: "My concern is that services will not be included in the Government's Bill so today is hugely significant because it really talks about why this is important.
"The cases are hugely important not only because they seek to put to an end a wrong in the immediate sense, but they also highlight exactly what we mean when we say that services must be included in the Occupied Territories Bill when Government finally bring their version to the Dáil."
She added: "This case is hugely important, but AirBnB is just one company and there are many others.
"We need Government to step up and take responsibility, pass full, proper and complete legislation that bans all trade with the illegal settlements in both goods and services for every company so cases like this are not necessary."
