Laws in Florida and Illinois cracking down on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement might be used against Airbnb in light of the company’s recent decision to remove listings from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
Florida Governor-Elect Ron DeSantis (R) told reporters on Monday that Airbnb’s decision “discriminates against Jews in the West Bank.”
“They do not treat anybody else in the entire world like this; it’s only targeted in these Jewish communities,” DeSantis said. “I think that that likely runs afoul of Florida’s BDS legislation; we’re reviewing that now.”
DeSantis added that unless Airbnb rescinds the policy, he will bar state workers from using Airbnb for travel purposes.
Additionally, the Jerusalem Post is reporting that the Illinois state legislature is going to determine in December if Airbnb’s policy violates their anti-BDS law. Outgoing Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) is also reportedly calling for action:
#BREAKING: @kann_news: Following @Airbnb decision to remove settelments from its site, @GovRauner is calling the Illinois Investment Policy Board to ensure enforcement of the state’s anti-BDS law at next month meeting; aide to Rauner: "Governer finds Airbnb decision disturbing" pic.twitter.com/wwhiUPtXCT
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) November 27, 2018
There are 26 states with anti-BDS laws; Congress is attempting to pass a law that would sanction United States entities that engage in boycotts of Israeli businesses in Judea and Samaria.
