Springfield, IL – Investment Board Says Airbnb West Bank Action Is Illegal

Springfield, IL – Illinois officials say that Airbnb’s ban on lodging listings in the disputed West Bank violates state law.

The Investment Policy Board ’s vote Wednesday followed Gov. Bruce Rauner’s request last month. He sought a review of Airbnb’s decision to remove 200 participating properties in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The board decision means Illinois could ban investment in Airbnb if it offers public stock.

Airbnb senior vice president Christopher Lehane says in a letter to the board Wednesday that Airbnb is following company policy for disputed territory worldwide. He says it is the same as U.S. multinational hotel chains’ policies. He says Airbnb is not anti-Israel and company investment in the region has drawn boycott-movement criticism.

Israel claimed the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War.