Why would German neo-Nazis donate money to a synagogue

The Holiday Inn hotel in Dresden, Germany took a stand against hate groups and refused to accept reservations made by members of the Nazi sympathizing National Democratic Party.

In a polite, tongue-in-cheek letter penned by hotel manager Johannes Lohmeyer that was then sent to top NDP officials, the chain demanded the group cancel their reservations. Should they fail to do so, Lohmeyer wrote, the hotel would make sure all profits from their stay would be donated the city's local synagogue.

Though the hotelier's inventive overture was not intended as a publicity stunt, Lohmeyer's actions received massive coverage from the German press and the public praised him for his sharp words.

"Seeing as you are not welcome as guests at our hotel and as I cannot ask of the hotel's employees to serve your kind, I request that you cancel your reservations," Lohmeyer wrote to the NDP.

"If the reservations are not cancelled, I hereby inform you that any profit made from your stay will be donated to the local synagogue. Consider it a small contribution to reparations for the damages that your brethren once inflicted on the synagogue, and more importantly on their former congregants," Lohmeyer wrote.

Lohmeyer said that in the past he had instructed his employees not to book rooms for neo-Nazi groups but the NDP members managed to secure their reservations over the internet.

"We have in our hotel many Israeli and dark-skinned guests and I do not believe those patrons should be asked to tolerate the presence of racist, neo-Nazis," the manager and owner told Ynet on Tuesday, explaining why he decided not to overlook the matter and simply pocket the money.

Lohmeyer said he was amazed by the support he's received since the story was first published in the local press. He did, however, also receive four hate letters condemning his actions, but those were dismissed.