Israeli travelers trying to book a hotel in southern Germany through Booking.com were shocked to receive an openly antisemitic message saying: “Sorry, there are no Jews allowed in our hotel.”
After the Israelis filed a complaint with Booking and contacted the Israeli consulate in Munich, the hotel was removed from the platform. A review found that the message had indeed been sent on behalf of the hotel, and the case has now been referred to authorities in Bavaria.
The hotel, Zum Hirschen, is located near the town of Lam, close to Bavaria’s border with the Czech Republic. The Israelis attempted to make a reservation through Booking.com, but received an email saying their request had been rejected because they were Jewish.
Following the message, they filed a complaint with Booking and also contacted Israel’s consulate general in Munich. Booking removed the hotel from its reservations platform, and it is no longer possible to book rooms there through the site.
The Israeli consulate in Munich contacted the relevant authorities and examined the incident. Consular officials told ynet that the hotel initially denied sending the message, but later acknowledged that one of its employees had sent it.
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A review found that the message had indeed been sent on behalf of the hotel
(Photo: Skwebsolutions / Shutterstock)
Talya Lador, Israel’s consul general in Munich, addressed the incident on X, writing: “Are we back in the 1930s? I am glad Booking removed this hotel from its platform.”
The case has been referred to the commissioner for combating antisemitism at Bavaria’s Justice Ministry, who is expected to continue reviewing the incident and examine whether there are grounds for legal action.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the case will lead to formal proceedings.