By COLlive reporter
The Town of Surfside, Florida has unanimously voted to adopt a Resolution introduced by its Vice-Mayor Daniel Gielchinsky declaring that Airbnb is in default of its contract with the town on December 11, 2018.
The Surfside Commission declared that Airbnb, the online marketplace for home rentals, is in material violation of its agreement, which prohibits Airbnb from enacting a discriminatory boycott.
Surfside condemned Airbnb for its anti-Semitic policy of discrimination against Jewish property owners in the Judea and Samaria region of Israel and urged Airbnb to reconsider its policy and abandon the boycott.
Gielchinsky calls on other local, county and state elected officials and governing bodies to adopt similar resolutions right away. South Florida is a vital part of Airbnb’s business and has an immensely strong voice in this conversation.
“Let’s make South Florida a shining light and beacon of truth, good and love prevailing over hatred, evil and hypocrisy throughout the world!” he said.
Mayor Francis Suarez will be introducing a resolution in the City of Miami. Florida’s Governor-elect Ron DeSantis has already pledged to take strong action against Airbnb within his first few weeks in office.
Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs, an international Israel education organization, praises the resolution and urged other cities, counties and states to follow their lead.
“BDS is a campaign disguised as antisemitism. We have a responsibility to speak up against hate and condemn this actions Airbnb from city hall to the Governor’s mansion,” he said.
Meanwhile, many Jewish users of Airbnb have deactivated their account. An alternative, they have been turning to koshnb.com, a similar service for Jewish hosts to list their rental units and guests looking to find a home.
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I don’t think they legally could ban anyone from
doing business in a Town.
But if Airbnb gets bad press, that’s good!
I am proud of my Town and Commissioners.
Good job Dan
Penalized? No, not really. Nice gesture, but meaningless. Surfside is a popular vacation spot, and there numerous Airbnb listings in the city. If Surfside were to reciprocally ban Airbnb from doing business in Surfside, blocking those listings, that would get noticed. A condemnation proclamation? Not so much.
Misleading.
So what’s the punishment?
Condemnation is great. But it’s not punishment unless you ban tax or restrict them.
Great job for them Atleast condeming Airbnb
Some good news, Baruch Hashem!