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Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Palestinian challenges Garda over decision not to investigate claim Israeli settlers are renting cabins on his land
A Palestinian man who lives in the West Bank has taken an action against the Garda Commissioner for refusing to investigate a complaint alleging that Israeli settlers barred him from his land and used it to build cabins, which were then advertised for rent on an Irish-registered website. The court ordered that the applicant cannot be named after he claimed his life would be under threat from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He is joined in the application by Palestinian rights group Sadaka, The Ireland Palestine Alliance Limited against the commissioner of An Garda Síochána . The applicants allege that the actions of the Irish-registered website in allowing the property to be booked constitute a crime. The initial complaint to gardaí in August 2024 alleged the website was 'an accessory to the crime of transfer, accessory to the crime of appropriation and money laundering'. The applicants seek a High Court order quashing an alleged February 2025 decision by gardaí not to proceed with an investigation into the matter. In papers lodged to the court by lawyers for the two applicants, it is claimed the cabins located in the Occupied Territories on land owned by the man were still being advertised online for rent as of May 2025. READ MORE In a sworn statement, Gerry Liston, a solicitor at KOD Lyons representing the applicants, claims he booked a stay at one of the cabins and printed off the website booking as evidence. It is claimed by the applicants that in the late 1990s the man was barred from accessing his lands by the IDF, and that this situation still exists. Papers lodged to the High Court claim that his inability to access the lands led to decay across various areas, a trend that persisted until 2004 when Israeli settlers began construction on the land. It is claimed the pace of construction increased in 2009 when two cabins were erected and advertised as rental properties online. This, the applicants claim, led to 'settlers profiting from the illegal construction on privately owned Palestinian land' without the consent of the applicant. In November 2024, gardaí wrote to the applicants saying an assessment of the complaint had taken place and that 'following careful consideration, it has been determined there are no offences disclosed within this jurisdiction and therefore a criminal investigation is not warranted'. Last February, gardaí responded to follow-up correspondence saying the matter was closed but that 'the information, however, has been recorded for intelligence purposes by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau'. [ 'Groundbreaking' case over Airbnb lettings in West Bank will set precedent for Irish companies, says Senator Opens in new window ] A replying letter to gardaí from the plaintiffs said the suggestion that there was no evidence of a crime having been committed in Ireland was 'not a sound basis upon which to decline to investigate' and submitted that gardaí had made an error in law. It is submitted the three allegations could be investigated under Section 3 of the Geneva Convention, Section 7, of the International Criminal Court Act and also under Ireland's Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act. The applicants claim material submitted to gardaí 'clearly demonstrates offences which were committed in Ireland'. They accept there are 'practical limitations' on gathering evidence outside of the jurisdiction, but add: 'The gardaí are not limited to gathering evidence of offences in Ireland and can gather evidence in Ireland relating to offences committed abroad prosecutable in Ireland'. At the High Court this week, James B Dwyer SC, for the plaintiffs, applied to Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger to have the man anonymised. In his affidavit outlining why the man should be anonymised, Mr Liston submitted that should his client be identified he 'would be in danger from the Israeli authorities'. 'The danger ranges from harassment, to physical harm and even death,' he states. Ms Justice Bolger anonymised the man, adjourned the matter to October and said the Garda Commissioner should be put on notice.
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Palestinian challenges Garda decision not to investigate claim Israeli settlers renting cabins on his land
A Palestinian man who lives in the West Bank has taken an action against the Garda Commissioner for refusing to investigate a complaint alleging that Israeli settlers barred him from his land . He also claims the land was used to build cabins, which were then advertised for rent on an Irish-registered website. Advertisement The court ordered that the applicant cannot be named after he claimed his life would be under threat from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). He is joined in the application by Palestinian rights group Sadaka, the Ireland Palestine Alliance Limited, against the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. The applicants allege that the actions of the Irish-registered website in allowing the property to be booked constitute a crime. The initial complaint to gardaí in August 2024 alleged the website was an alleged accessory to the crime of transfer, accessory to the crime of appropriation and money laundering. Advertisement The applicants seek a High Court order quashing an alleged February 2025 decision by gardaí not to proceed with an investigation into the matter. In papers lodged to the court by lawyers for the two applicants, it is claimed that the cabins located in the Occupied Territories on land owned by the man were still being advertised online for rent as of May 2025. In an affidavit dated May 8th, 2025, Gerry Liston, a solicitor at KOD Lyons, representing the applicants, claims he himself booked a stay at one of the cabins and printed off the website booking as evidence. It is claimed by the applicants that in the late 1990s, the man was barred from accessing his lands by the Israeli Defence Forces, and that this situation still exists. Advertisement Papers lodged to the High Court claim that his inability to access the lands led to decay across various areas, a trend that persisted until 2004 when Israeli settlers began construction on the land. It is claimed that the pace of construction increased in 2009 when two cabins were erected and advertised as rental properties online, which the applicants claim led to 'settlers profiting from the illegal construction on privately-owned Palestinian land' without the consent of the applicant. In November 2024, gardaí wrote to the applicants saying that an assessment of the complaint had taken place and that 'following careful consideration, it has been determined that there are no offences disclosed within this jurisdiction and therefore a criminal investigation is not warranted'. Last February, gardaí responded to follow-up correspondence saying that the matter was closed but that 'the information, however, has been recorded for intelligence purposes by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau'. Advertisement A reply letter to gardaí from the plaintiffs said the suggestion that there was no evidence of a crime having been committed in Ireland was 'not a sound basis upon which to decline to investigate' and submitted that gardaí had made an error in law. It is submitted that the three allegations could be investigated under Section 3 of the Geneva Convention, Section 7 of the International Criminal Court Act and also under Ireland's Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act. At the High Court this week, James B Dwyer SC, for the plaintiffs, applied to Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger that the man not be identified. Ms Justice Bolger granted the order and adjourned the matter to October.
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Airbnb faces legal action over listings in illegal Israeli settlements
The three groups – Global Legal Action Network (Glan), Sadaka and Al-Haq – have launched the co-ordinated action against Airbnb's Irish and UK subsidiaries, as well as its US parent company. Glan and Al-Haq filed a criminal complaint with the UK's National Crime Agency over the company's UK subsidary, accusing Airbnb of alleged money laundering in connection with its collection of payments for accommodation in the Israeli settlements. READ MORE: UK Government accused of 'actively participating in genocide' by training IDF In the US, an attorney for Glan has sent a "preservation letter" to Airbnb's parent company, instructing it to preserve documents relevant to Airbnb's involvement in the settlements. The move could support action being taken in the UK, and in Ireland by Sadaka, which is challenging a decision taken by Irish police not to investigate Airbnb Ireland and its senior executives for what it says is alleged criminal involvement in Israeli settlements. According to an investigation by the Guardian earlier this year, there are more than 300 accommodations listed in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with a third of all Airbnbs in the West Bank located in settlements. Airbnb is also listed on the United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) database of businesses involved in activities in Israeli settlements in the OPT. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal, and that all states must prevent trade or investment that support the occupation. An Airbnb spokesperson told The National that the company operates "in compliance with applicable laws in Ireland, the UK and the US". They added: "Since 2019, Airbnb has donated all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international nonprofit, in line with our global framework on disputed territories." READ MORE: Convoy of 1500 arrives in Libya en route to Gaza to break Israel's blockade on aid The company's response was criticised by Ashish Prashar, a former advisor to the Middle East Peace Envoy now working as a special adviser to Glan on Palestine. Prashar condemned Airbnb's use of the words "disputed territories" when discussing Israeli settlements, saying it "undermines Palestinian sovereignty and reinforces the Israeli occupation of the land". He told The National: "It actively supports the cruel domination of the Palestinian people, which is a clear breach of international law." Prashar said that the groups believe they will be successful, adding: "It's a very strong case which could set a precedent with major global consequences for businesses with direct and indirect ties to Israeli settlements. "It could lead to a full BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] moment where it's safer for companies who don't want to be charged with war crimes or executives charged with war crimes, to actually withdraw, not just from the Occupied Territories or from Israel, but from doing any business with Israel because it could be illegal in any possible way." READ MORE: 'Absurdity' of UK position on Israel while still supplying arms called out by SNP MP Glan senior laywer, Gerry Liston, commented: 'These are the first ever cases to apply anti-money laundering legislation to business activity in the illegal Israeli settlements. "They demonstrate that individual senior executives of companies profiting from Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory face a personal risk of prosecution for a very serious criminal offence.' Shawan Jabarin, general director of Al-Haq, said: "At a time when we are witnessing genocide in Palestine, businesses like Airbnb are providing services that deny the Palestinian people their means of subsistence, threatening the viability of the group. "Following the finding by the International Court of Justice, that Israel's occupation is illegal, business activities trading in goods and services that maintain the illegal occupation, must come to an end – i.e., those located in the OPT, including the settlements, and in Israel. "It is time to end Israel's impunity and take action.'
Irish Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Groundbreaking' case over Airbnb lettings in West Bank will set precedent for Irish companies, says Senator
A 'groundbreaking' case against Airbnb will set a precedent for legal action against any Irish companies with links to illegal Israeli settlements, an Independent Senator has warned. Frances Black said similar cases will continue to be taken until the Government includes services in the upcoming Occupied Territories Bill . She was speaking on Tuesday as five separate international legal challenges were launched against the company, which pro-Palestinian and human rights activists say is currently managing more than 300 holiday lettings in the West Bank . The strategic action, which includes an Irish court case, is being led by Sadaka, the Ireland-Palestine Alliance and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN). READ MORE The groups said they are seeking a judicial review against a decision by An Garda Síochána's national economic crime bureau not to proceed with a complaint from activists in August 2023. This alleged that Airbnb is in breach of Irish money laundering legislation for profits it has made from lettings in illegal Israeli settlements. According to GLAN, gardaí initially found there had been 'no offence' in this jurisdiction. The group is now challenging that decision. Airbnb's European, Middle East and Africa headquarters is in Dublin. In a statement, a spokesperson for Airbnb said: 'Airbnb operates in compliance with applicable Irish and US laws. Since 2019, Airbnb has donated all profits generated from host activity in the West Bank to an international non-profit, in line with our global framework on disputed territories.' Ms Black, who described the case against Airbnb as a 'groundbreaking legal action', said similar cases will follow if the Government does not legislate to restrict the trading of goods and services in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 'This case is hugely important, but Airbnb is just one company. There are many, many others. It should not be left up to brilliant civil society organisations and campaigners to seek to identify individual companies and push them to end their complicity in Israeli war crimes one by one,' she said. 'We need Government to step up and take responsibility, pass full, proper, complete legislation that bans all trade with the illegal settlements in both goods and services for every company, so that cases like this are not necessary.' In 2018, Airbnb announced it would remove more than 200 listings in the occupied West Bank. But it reversed this decision some months later after a US case was taken against it on behalf of hosts who had had their listings removed. Ms Black said Ireland was 'required' under international law not to trade with the Occupied Territories. Speaking at the same event, Ms Black played down her potential candidacy for this year's presidential election. Asked for her thoughts on running as a candidate for an alliance of left-wing parties, she replied: 'There are no thoughts. At this time, it's not something I have even considered.' Ms Black said she was '98 per cent sure' at this point that she would not be running. 'It's just blown way out of proportion,' she said.
The Journal
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Activists legally challenge Garda decision not to probe Airbnb business in Israeli settlements
ACTIVISTS HAVE LAUNCHED a legal challenge against a decision by gardaí not to investigate Airbnb's listings in occupied Palestinian territories last year. Irish-Palestinian human rights and legal activists have launched a judicial review on foot of the decision by the gardaí's economic crime division last year. It seeks to review whether the correct decision-making processes were followed. The decision followed a complaint by Irish-Palestinian human rights and legal activists in August 2023, who alleged that the Irish subsidiary of the firm is money-laundering under Irish law. The Ireland-Palestine Alliance, Sadaka, and the Global Legal Action Network accused Airbnb Ireland of being in breach of Irish money laundering offences, claiming that its parent company allows settlers to list properties in occupied Palestinian territories. Airbnb Ireland denies accusations of money laundering. 'Airbnb operates in compliance with applicable Irish and US laws,' the company said, adding that since 2019 it has donated all profit generated from listings in the West Bank. A previous case in the US, which was taken by Israeli settlers after the firm announced it would delist properties in the region, was settled out of court. One condition of that US case was that the company would reverse its decision to remove the listings. In November, gardaí said the complaint by Sadaka and the Global Legal Action Network did not disclose an offence, according to the activists. The groups' judicial review claims gardaí 'acted irrationally' in reaching the decision. More than 200 Israeli settlements have been constructed in the occupied West Bank since 1967, covering more than 10% of its territory. More than 100 of these have been granted legal status under Israeli law. Advertisement Speaking in Dublin today, pro-Palestine activists and legal experts said that the outcome of a judicial review could create a potential criminal liability for those conducting business in the regions. Gerry Liston, a lawyer for the Global Legal Action Network, said the judicial review is the first case of its kind to apply anti-money laundering legislation to commercial activity in illegal Israeli settlements The director of the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq, Shawan Jabarin claimed that businesses like Airbnb are providing services that deny Palestinians their means of subsistence and threaten 'the viability of the group'. 'Following the finding by the International Court of Justice, that Israel's occupation is illegal, business activities trading in goods and services that maintain the illegal occupation, must come to an end,' he added. In a separate Irish action, the Global Legal Action Network and Al-Haq have submitted a complaint to the national contact point for the OECD. That complaint includes a request that Airbnb delist all of its offerings inside occupied Palestinian territories. Chair of Sadaka, Éamonn Meehan, said it would be in the company's best-interest to do so as the government seeks to ban trade of services between Ireland and Israeli settlements in Palestine under the Occupied Territories Bill 2018. The bill, which was changed by the government recently to ban only the trading of good between Ireland and occupied Palestinian territories, was introduced to cabinet last month. Its original author, independent senator Frances Black, is supporting the activists judicial review action in Dublin today. With reporting by David MacRedmond and Stephen McDermott Need more clarity and context on what is happening in the Middle East? Check out our new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
