LAWYERS announced legal action today against Airbnb over listings in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Launched by Global Legal Action Network (Glan), Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, and the Ireland Palestine Alliance, Sadaka, the actions target Airbnb’s Irish and British subsidiaries, as well as its US parent company.

In 2018, Airbnb promised to remove its listings in illegal settlements, but reversed the ban the next year. A recent Guardian investigation found that it continues to list 350 properties to rent there.

Last July, the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory to be unlawful, and that all states must abstain from trade or investment supporting it.

The groups taking action against Airbnb highlight that acts of land appropriation, displacement and transfer of civilian population onto occupied territory are considered war crimes and crimes against humanity under both international law and domestic legislation.

They also warn that anti-money laundering legislation makes it an offence to handle money or other property derived from such acts.

Lawyers say they have filed a complaint against Airbnb Payments UK Ltd to the National Crime Agency, which prosecutes money laundering offences. 

A legal challenge has also been filed in Ireland’s High Court against the refusal of police to investigate the role of Airbnb Ireland’s role in facilitating listings in illegal settlements. 

It was made in response to a previous complaint made in 2023 under Irish war crimes and anti-money laundering legislation.

Glan has also written to Airbnb’s solicitors, A&L Goodbody, accountants, PWC, and bank, Citibank, regarding their anti-money laundering obligations.

A ”preservation letter” has also been sent to Airbnb’s parent company in the US, instructing it to preserve documents relevant to its involvement in the settlements.

Glan senior lawyer Gerry Liston said: “These are the first ever cases to apply anti-money laundering legislation in the UK and elsewhere to business activity in the illegal Israeli settlements. 

“They demonstrate that senior executives of companies profiting from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory risk prosecution for a very serious criminal offence.”

Airbnb has been contacted for comment.