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Antisemitism strikes again, with a disturbing incident reported to United With Israel. Hostel Bruegel in Brussels canceled a reservation for an Israeli couple with an openly hateful message.
The couple had booked their stay eight months in advance, but just one month before their trip, the hostel sent this appalling notice:
“We don’t accept people who are active in crimes against humanity. Israelis are not welcome.”
Left without accommodations, the couple faced blatant discrimination simply because of their nationality.
Booking.com’s response to this appalling incident was woefully inadequate. Instead of addressing the hostel’s discriminatory behavior, they replied:
“Unfortunately, Hostel Bruegel informed us that they can no longer accommodate you. To keep your trip on track, we’ve found you a similar place to stay.”
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred.
In Italy, a hotel rejected an Israeli couple with an antisemitic message, accusing Israelis of “genocide.”
Booking.com took swift and decisive action in that case, immediately removing the property from its platform and reaffirming their zero-tolerance policy for discrimination.
Why hasn’t Booking.com applied the same standard to Hostel Bruegel?
This weak response is unacceptable. Discrimination against Israelis must not be tolerated.
We demand that Booking.com hold Hostel Bruegel accountable by removing the property from its platform and issuing a strong condemnation of their actions.
Send your email to Booking.com
SAMPLE EMAIL
Subject Line: Remove Hostel Bruegel for Antisemitic Discrimination
Dear Booking.com Team,
I am deeply disturbed to learn that Hostel Bruegel in Brussels canceled a reservation for an Israeli couple, stating: “We don’t accept people who are active in crimes against humanity. Israelis are not welcome.” This is blatant antisemitism and a clear violation of your platform’s policies.
Your response, offering an alternative accommodation without addressing the discriminatory actions of the hostel, is inadequate. In a similar case in Italy, you appropriately removed a hotel that rejected Israeli guests for antisemitic reasons.
I expect the same action to be taken against Hostel Bruegel. Their listing must be removed immediately, and Booking.com should publicly condemn their actions. Failure to do so will send the message that your platform tolerates hate and discrimination.
Please take decisive action to demonstrate your commitment to equality and reject antisemitism in all its forms.
Sincerely,
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