Resolution 2019-30678 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30678.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONDEMNING AIRBNB INC.'S
DECISION TO REMOVE LISTINGS OF RENTALS IN ISRAELI
SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK; AND, DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE
OFFICIALS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") is a leader amongst local
governments in fostering equality for all and in condemning discrimination and anti-
Semitism, as most recently evidenced in City Resolution No. 2017-30108, which
established protocols for the City's Police Department for investigations surrounding
potential anti-Semitic motivations for criminal offenses; and
WHEREAS,the City shares democratic values, common strategic interests, and
bonds of friendship and mutual respect with Israel, which is our friend and ally; and
WHEREAS, Airbnb, Inc. ("Airbnb") is a privately held global company
headquartered in San Francisco, California that operates an online marketplace and
hospitality service, which is accessible via its websites and mobile applications and
through which its members can arrange or offer lodging and tourism experiences; and
WHEREAS, Airbnb recently decided to remove all listings of rentals in Israeli
settlements in the area historically known as Judea and Samaria, now more commonly
referred to as the "West Bank," while continuing to allow non-Israeli listings in the West
Bank; and
WHEREAS, Airbnb's aforestated actions are antithetical to the non-
discriminatory values and policies that are important to the City; and
WHEREAS, all businesses that operate in the City should conduct their business
in a way that does not discriminate against anyone, for any reason, including but not
limited to their nationality or religion; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission expresses its strong support and steadfast
commitment to the security, welfare, and survival of the sovereign State of Israel and
urges Airbnb to reconsider its decision to de-list only Israeli-owned properties in the
West Bank; and
WHEREAS, Resolutions condemning the discriminatory actions of Airbnb in
Israel have been adopted by the City of Miami, the Village of Bal Harbour, and the Town
of Surfside and the City of Miami Beach desires to join these local governments in
condemning the discriminatory practices of Airbnb; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution should be transmitted by the City Clerk to the
President of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities, the .Board of County
Commissioners for Miami-Dade County, and the Mayors of all municipalities in Miami-
Dade County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby condemn Airbnb Inc.'s decision to remove listings of rentals in Israeli
settlements in the West Bank; and, direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this
Resolution to the officials designated herein.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of January, 2019.
ATTEST: -\1\I.........
\ Dan Gelber, ayor
I
t :INCORPORATED
Ra el E. Granado, ityGlerk �9. _� : ,�4= FORM APPROVEDAS TO
;''�RcH 26'�N CLITION
(Sponsored by Commissioner Micky Steinberg) — e
ty Attorney .1 t
F:\ATTO\TURN\RESOS\Airbnb antisemitic practices Resolution 2019.doc
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To Brian Chesky,
Airbnb Cofounder, CEO,&Head of Community
Airbnb Mtn,888 Brannan Street
San Francisco,CA,9410
Dear Mr.Chesky,.
l" m dismayed with your decision to remove listings from Israeli settlements in .
Judea and Samaria..i urge you to,reconsiderthis decision immediately;
Ariti-Sertiitisrn is on the rise around the world and in the United States.The
shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is,a tragic reminder that overt
and violent hate against Jews still exists.;
But we.know that anti-Semitism can also be nuanced and subtle and,-in fact,can
find rootinmainstream institutions. In niany respects your policy to decline listings
is understandably perceived as an attempt by your company to take a position that
deeply offends many including me.
Removing listings of all homes in the Israeli-settlements in`the.Judea and`Sa aria
region is unfairly biased against Israel."l strongly Urge Airbnb to rescind its
discriminatory decision.
Sincerely,
Dan Gelber
CITY OF i iAMi 671tAcli
Resolutions - C7 P
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J.Aguila, City Attorney
DATE: January 16, 2019
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONDEMNING AIRBNB INC.'S DECISION
TO REMOVE LISTINGS OF RENTALS IN ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN THE
WEST BANK; AND, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Micky Steinburg, the above-referenced Resolution is
submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the January 16, 2019
Commission meeting.
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Commissioner Micky Steinberg
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Resolution
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