An Airbnb Experiences host in Italy asked an Israeli-American guest to cancel a pasta-making class after seeing the Israeli flag in her profile photo.
Carmit, a 35-year-old Israeli-American from Florida, booked the class through Airbnb Experiences with her husband, who lives in Kibbutz Ein Gev.
Shortly after the booking, the host, Nico, asked her to cancel "for ethical and family reasons." He later explained that the Israeli flag in her profile photo had "deeply hurt" them and that they preferred not to meet her.
Carmit replied that she would report the host to Airbnb for discrimination. The host accused her of bringing politics into the experience and again demanded that she cancel.
The booking was eventually canceled, but Airbnb did not say whether the host or the company had canceled it. Carmit said she contacted Airbnb repeatedly and was told a specialized team would get in touch, but no one did.
"This person and this company are discriminating against Jews and Israelis, and it must be called by its name: antisemitism," Carmit said.
