Miami-Beach-Takes-Stand-Against-Airbnb-and-Alongside-Israel
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2019
Miami Beach Takes Stand Against Airbnb and Alongside Israel
— Following the Company’s Refusal to List Homes in the West Bank—
Miami Beach, FL – As a leader amongst local government in fostering equality, the City
of Miami Beach has a long history of condemning discrimination and anti-Semitism. In
response to Airbnb’s recent decision to remove all rental listings in Israeli settlements in
the West Bank, the City of Miami Beach has joined the Village of Bal Harbour, the Town
of Surfside and the City of Miami in urging the online platform to rescind its
discriminatory action.
“We know that anti-Semitism can be nuanced and subtle, and in fact, find root in
mainstream institutions,” expressed Mayor Dan Gelber in a letter sent to Airbnb Co-
founder and CEO Brian Chesky. “Removing listings of all homes in the Israeli
settlements in the Judea and Samaria region is unfairly biased against Israel and deeply
offends many in our diverse City, including myself.”
As a municipality with a strong-rooted friendship with the state of Israel, the public
decision comes in support of its democratic neighbor overseas.
“I’m proud of my colleagues’ unanimous support of the resolution to condemn Airbnb’s
discriminatory policies in Israel,” shared Commissioner Micky Steinberg who sponsored
today’s item. “There is no room for hate or discrimination.”
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