UN: Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia Tied to Israeli Settlements

UN Database Lists Major Travel Companies with Ties to Israeli Settlements

A United Nations database has identified 158 companies, including prominent online travel agencies such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia, that have business activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The database, released by the UN Human Rights Office, details entities that have connections to these settlements.

The report, which took years to compile, lists companies involved in various aspects of economic activity within these settlements. The UN has previously stated that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to peace. The publication of this database is seen as a step towards accountability for companies operating in these areas.

The companies named in the database operate in sectors such as tourism, real estate, banking, and technology. Their involvement ranges from providing services in settlements to financing or facilitating activities there. The UN Human Rights Office has indicated that the database is a dynamic document and may be updated as new information becomes available.

The release of this list is expected to increase scrutiny on these companies and potentially lead to boycotts or divestment campaigns by groups advocating for Palestinian rights. It also raises questions about the corporate responsibility of international businesses operating in disputed territories. The article does not specify a date for the release of the database, only that it was recently published.

Key Points

• 158 companies have been identified in a UN database with ties to Israeli settlements.
• Companies named include Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia.
• The database details entities with business activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

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