WarSclerotic

Airbnb has decided to shelve its decision, announced in November, to delist Israeli vacation rentals in Judea and Samaria.

The move came after a delegation of Airbnb officials led bycompany  Vice President Chris Lanahan met with Tourism Minister Yariv Levin on Monday.

The company announced that while it was not reversing the policy officially, it would not be implemented for now, and the company would continue discussing the matter with the Israeli government.

Airbnb’s decision not to implement the delisting is “an important step in the right direction,” a spokesman for Levin said.

“Tourism Minister Levin will continue to work to ensure that all citizens of Israel are treated equally and continue to bolster incoming tourism, including to Judea and Samaria. In addition, Minister Levin will keep working on the matter along with Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely,” the spokesman said.

In late November, a group of Israeli lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against Airbnb.

The lawsuit came a week after the San Francisco-based company said it was removing listings of around 200 homes in settlements after hearing criticism from people who “believe companies should not profit on lands where people have been displaced.”

“The company’s decision is in effect directed solely against Israeli citizens living in the settlements … and this amounts to grave, particularly outrageous discrimination,” the lawsuit stated.

“[It is] part of the long war being conducted by organizations (of which a clear majority are anti-Semitic) against the State of Israel in its entirety, and against Israelis living in settlements in particular.”

The Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria (Yesha) welcomed the development.

“The Airbnb company has taken the right step by deciding not to give into anti-Israel forces. Canceling the decision to boycott guest rooms in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley is welcome. We hope that they will not repeat the mistake.

“We thank Tourism Minister Yariv Levin for joining the effort and his intensive work to have the decision revoked. We invite everyone to come to guest rentals in the area and tour the land of the Bible,” the Yesha Council said.

Head of the Beit El Local Council Shay Alon called the Airbnb decision “very brave.”

“I’m happy that the company managers have changed their minds on the previous decision, which sought to ‘opt out’ of Jews. This is our response to those who support boycotts. Boycotts will not promote peace – the opposite, they will drive the Palestinians and the Israelis father apart,” Alon said.

Head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council Shlomo Naaman said in response to the decision: “The current instance proves yet again that Israeli settlement in Judea and Samaria is an established fact. I congratulate our friend Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and his determined battle against those who are trying to attack Jewish Zionist settlement in parts of Israel.

“As always, we are proud that the truth has won out … we await thousands of tourists from Israel and abroad who will keep visiting Gush Etzion and the rest of the Jewish community in Judea and Samaria and enjoying the wonderful landscapes and the ancient and modern legacy that are part of our lives.”