A hotel in Kyoto, Hotel Material, has come under scrutiny for “illegally” refusing accommodation to an Israeli man, citing potential connections to his country’s military involvement in the Gaza conflict, the local government reported on Friday.
The city of Kyoto has instructed Hotel Material in Higashiyama Ward that such actions violate the law prohibiting hotels from denying accommodation without special circumstances. Israel’s embassy in Tokyo condemned the hotel’s actions, stating, “This serious incident appears to be due to an employee’s personal political views and is unacceptable by any measure. It is crucial that the hotel takes this issue seriously to prevent further harm and to uphold the values of respect and equality.”
Kyoto City, after investigating, confirmed that the hotel’s reasons for rejecting the man’s booking were illegitimate. The city warned the hotel verbally on Thursday and through a written notice on Friday.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa also criticised the refusal, stating it was “unacceptable” to deny accommodation based on nationality, and emphasized the need for all visitors to feel secure in Japan.
Despite the backlash, the hotel has not apologised and has also garnered widespread support on social media. A letter from the hotel manager to the guest cited concerns over possible war crimes committed by the US-backed, Israeli occupation army as the reason for the refusal. The hotel management has deferred further comments to their legal representative.
This incident highlights a growing trend of pro-Palestinian solidarity in Japan, reflecting broader global support for the Palestinian cause amid the genocide in Gaza.
