A three-star hotel in northern Italy, near the Dolomites, refused a reservation made by a group of Israelis. The hotel justified its decision by labeling Israelis as "responsible for genocide."

The booking was made via the Booking.com online reservation service, which promotes the hotel as an establishment “ideally placed for hiking and cycling excursions as well as skiing.”

The Israelis who made the reservation at Hotel Garni Ongaro received this message in response: "Good morning. We inform you that the Israeli people as those responsible for genocide are not welcome customers in our structure. Therefore, if you would like to cancel your reservation, you would be happy to do so and we will be happy to grant free cancellation. Staff."

The news of the hotel's rejection quickly spread across social media platforms.

Social media users praised the hotel’s decision, applauding it for taking a bold stand. Many hailed the establishment for aligning itself with what they described as a stance in support of humanity and justice, expressing solidarity with the hotel's refusal to host Israeli guests.

If you are thinking of travelling to Italy for a holiday give these guys look, they stand for decency and humanity.
Hotel Garni Ongaro. pic.twitter.com/eEkMzqYddt

— Ireland 32🇮🇪🇵🇸 🔻 (@celtsno1) November 14, 2024

Comments flooded in, commending the hotel for its ethical stance, with some users viewing it as a symbolic gesture of resistance against injustice.

Stay at this hotel if you’re visiting Italy. Give them plenty of business. https://t.co/vhHbXxbBem

— Imran (@Khan971I) November 14, 2024

Why it matters

This incident comes amid a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement sweeping across Europe. Demonstrations have intensified, with activists confronting what they view as Israeli provocations at high-profile events, including football matches in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Antwerp.

These protests, often featuring visible displays of solidarity with Palestine, reflect an expanding movement across the continent. As more people rally behind calls for justice and heightened awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, the momentum of these campaigns signals the increasing influence of the BDS movement in Europe.

Massive wave of EU divestment from Israeli firms amid genocide

Several leading European financial institutions have scaled back their investments and cut links with Israeli companies due to growing activist and governmental pressure to address "Israel's" genocidal campaign in Gaza, according to a Reuters analysis.

Banks and insurers, traditionally vocal about their environmental and social governance commitments, are now reconsidering their financial associations with firms linked to the Israeli defense sector and occupied Palestinian territories.

Italy's UniCredit has reportedly placed "Israel" on a "forbidden" investment list since October 2023, marking a move aligned with its policy against financing arms exports to conflict zones.

This stance goes beyond Italy's official guidelines on arms exports to "Israel".

Meanwhile, Norwegian asset manager Storebrand and French insurer AXA have sold off shares in Israeli companies, including some banks, citing ethical concerns over human rights risks.

"The power banks wield in deciding where to allocate capital has real-world implications," noted Martin Rohner, executive director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. "Investing in arms production conflicts with sustainable development principles."

Read more: French insurance giant AXA cuts ties with major Israeli banks: BDS