Booking.com Issues 8-Euro “Compensation” After Refusing Israeli Tourist

Israeli digital nomad Ofek Levi faced a shocking experience during his travels in Bosnia when a hostel owner refused to accommodate him upon learning he was from Israel. The booking was made through Booking.com, but the incident ended with Levi being turned away at the door and a token “compensation” of just 8 euros from the platform.

“I’ve been traveling for two years and have seen many changes, even during wartime,” Levi declared. “I arrived in a tourist town in Bosnia, and at the hostel entrance, the owner asked if I was the guest from Israel. She said I was not welcome, closed the gate, and threw me out. This is the first time something like this has happened to me in a hostel.”

Booking.com reportedly apologized but left Levi to find alternative accommodation on his own. The platform explained that the hostel cancellation would be addressed within two months, or legal measures could be taken. Meanwhile, the hostel remains listed on the site.

Wider Pattern of Hostility

Levi’s case is not isolated. Over the weekend, Israeli traveler Liat Tzagai encountered a pro-Palestinian protest in Milan, Italy, with signs labeling Israel as a “terror state.” She recalled:

“The demonstration was the last straw. People there had tattoos of the Gaza Strip and maps of Israel labeled ‘Palestine.’ I couldn’t stay silent. I’m Israeli, I love my country, and I’ve experienced October 7 up close. I’m tired of people who are ignorant and disconnected from reality.”

Tzagai also described multiple incidents during her trip where locals displayed hostility once they learned she was Israeli. At one store, the clerk’s attitude changed immediately after she revealed her nationality, refusing service despite previous friendly interactions.

These incidents highlight the growing challenges Israeli travelers can face abroad, from direct discrimination to navigating politically charged environments.