Airbnb Reverses Alleged anti-Israel Policy That Got Company Blacklisted in Texas

Airbnb is rescinding its plan to bar listings in Israeli settlements in the West Bank which landed it on Texas' list of companies that are barred from receiving state investments.The home-sharing company announced in November that it would remove about 200 listings in the West Bank, which is territory claimed by Palestinians. Airbnb said Tuesday it will now allow properties in Israeli settlements to be listed, but will donate all of its profits from properties in the West Bank to humanitarian aid organizations. The company said it will also apply the same approach in other disputed territories in the world, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "We have always sought to bring people together and will continue to work with our community to achieve this goal," Airbnb said. Airbnb is the only American company currently on Texas' anti-Israel boycott list. The Texas Comptroller's office, which oversees the list, was not immediately available to comment on whether Airbnb's reversal qualified the company for removal.Supporters of Airbnb's initial plan expressed disappointment toward the reversal.   Continue reading...