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(Washington, D.C., Nov. 29, 2018)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles Kaufman and CEO Daniel Mariaschin sent a letter to the CEO of short-term property rental company Airbnb denouncing the company’s decision to delist Israeli properties in the West Bank and calling on Airbnb to reverse its decision immediately. In the letter, Kaufman and Mariaschin called the move the “latest attempt by Israel’s adversaries to isolate the Jewish state and undermine its standing in the international community.”

In a release announcing the move, Airbnb said its decision was made in the context of an all-encompassing “framework for evaluating how [Airbnb] should treat listings in occupied territories.” However, Airbnb has not applied this framework to any country other than Israel.

Kaufman and Mariaschin point out that Airbnb’s press release “concedes that U.S. law permits companies like Airbnb to engage in business in these territories.” The decision could not have been motivated by legal concerns.

According to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of anti-Semitism, “manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity.” By singling out Israel from the hundreds of countries that Airbnb has listings in, the company is doing just that.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org