The Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas officially added Airbnb to its List of Companies that Boycott Israel on Friday, blacklisting the large online-travel company for its discrimination against Jewish homeowners posting lodging offers in Judea and Samaria.
Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon lauded the move by Comptroller Glenn Hegar, which he said he hoped would "be emulated by other states and other countries in the world."
Airbnb responded that "we unequivocally reject and oppose the BDS [boycott, divestment and sanctions] movement, and are disappointed by the decision. There are over 20,000 Airbnb hosts in Israel who open their doors and showcase the best of Israeli hospitality to guests from around the world, which boosts local families, businesses and communities."
The company said that it would continue to invest in Israel.
In November 2018, Airbnb delisted approximately 200 lodgings posted by Jewish homeowners offering travelers a place to stay in the historic and ancient regions of Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank.
It argued that the listings were in "occupied territories," and that it could not morally allow them a place on their website. The delistings only occurred in Jewish communities; Airbnb listings in Arab communities remained on the site.
The move sparked outrage across the Jewish world, as well as a class-action lawsuit filed by the delisted homeowners.
In January, Florida placed Airbnb on a list of companies no longer allowed to do business in the state.
In Texas, Airbnb has 90 days to prove that it has not boycotted Israel before the state takes legal action in the form of selling, redeeming, divesting or withdrawing the company's publicly traded securities. In Texas, a boycott of Judea and Samaria constitutes a boycott of Israel.
