Japanese hotel staff cancels Israeli tourist’s reservation due to Gaza genocide

A Japanese hotel in Kyoto canceled a reservation for an Israeli tourist, citing concerns about the Israeli army's war crimes in Gaza.

The hotel's staff refused to accommodate individuals linked to such atrocities.

The incident went viral last week after the Israeli tourist received a message from the hotel's management on WhatsApp.

"We are sorry to inform you that, due to reports of possible war crimes being committed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) members in the conflict between Israel and Palestine in Gaza, we are not able to accept reservations from persons we believe might have ties to the Israeli army," the message read.

The manager of Hotel Material, in a letter, said that hosting individuals "who might have assisted or might be assisting in the execution of warfare activities forbidden by international humanitarian law based on the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols could put us at risk of being considered accomplices and/or accessories to a person who could be facing prosecution for war crimes."

According to sources, the tourist complained to the Israeli embassy in Tokyo, which subsequently escalated the matter to higher authorities in Japan. The tourist was eventually granted a reservation at a different hotel.

A political counselor at the Israeli embassy, Ido Bromberg stated that there is no animosity between the countries following the incident and that Japan remains a favoured destination for Israeli citizens.

The Israeli embassy demanded an apology from the hotel but will not pursue legal action over the allegations.

The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has sparked global outrage for its sheer atrocities against innocent Palestinian civilians.

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense chief, Minister Yoav Gallant.