Booking.com Suspends Sicilian Hotel for Refusing Israelis Over Gaza Stance

Booking.com has suspended P43 Sicilian Suites, a hotel in Ragusa, Sicily, from its platform after it refused to accommodate Israeli tourists due to political objections that directly targeted Israeli tourists planning to stay there, following an exposé that sparked widespread outrage. The hotel’s listing was removed, preventing new bookings, and an investigation was launched to determine if the suspension will be permanent. This action could lead to significant financial losses for the hotel, given Booking.com’s dominance in Europe’s online hotel booking market, controlling approximately 70% of the sector. A permanent delisting could also impact the hotel’s visibility on other platforms like Airbnb or Expedia, as these sites often share information about problematic properties, potentially forcing the owner to rebrand, shift to long-term rentals, or sell the property.

The incident came to light when Yulia Sharitz, a resident of Rishon LeZion, Israel, received a message from the hotel after booking two rooms for a September vacation with her husband and friends. The hotel’s message read, “We are very concerned about what is happening in Gaza, so if you think your government is acting properly, please cancel your booking with us and book somewhere else. But if you are also shocked by the events of the last two years, we will be happy to welcome you for a pleasant stay.” Sharitz, stunned by the discriminatory message, said, “I was surprised to receive this message because nothing like this has ever happened to me. I booked five other hotels in Sicily, and all were confirmed without any issues. I was furious at their response, but I decided not to reply and to act wisely by contacting Booking.com’s customer service.”

Israeli representatives of Booking.com escalated the issue to their international counterparts, while Shai Glick, CEO of the B’Tsalmo organization, demanded the hotel’s removal from the platform. Booking.com responded, “Booking.com does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and in the rare event that the company is alerted to discriminatory behavior from a property, it investigates immediately. This property is currently suspended from the company’s booking platform.” The suspension underscores the broader rise in anti-Israeli incidents, with similar cases reported in Italy, Japan, and Norway, reflecting growing challenges for Israeli travelers amid global tensions.