Haifa District Court Clears Booking.com of Liability in Villa Dispute
Haifa District Court overturned a small claims ruling against Booking.com, holding that the platform acts as an intermediary and is not liable for temporary property defects.
A vacation in Greece turned into a legal battle for Irit Ziv, who booked a luxury villa through Booking.com on June 16, 2025. Upon arrival, Ziv and her family discovered dirty conditions, pests, worn-out furniture, and missing amenities. The family left after ten minutes and secured alternative lodging at double the cost. After Booking.com refused to issue a refund, Ziv filed a 13,300 NIS claim at the Krayot Small Claims Court.
Legal Battle and Court Rulings
In the first round, Senior Registrar Yaniv Luzon ruled in favor of Ziv, ordering Booking.com to pay 5,300 NIS in damages and refunds, noting a gap between the online presentation and reality. However, Booking.com appealed to the Haifa District Court, arguing that it merely acts as an online intermediary and does not own or operate the property.
Judge Eidit Weinberger upheld the appeal, ruling that Booking.com is not a party to the contract between the guest and the property owner, functioning essentially as a conduit. The court determined that unexpected maintenance or cleanliness issues are outside the platform's direct control, and travelers cannot unilaterally abandon a property without giving the provider an opportunity to resolve the issues.
