Swiss Hotel Owner Accused Of Anti-Semitism Over Rules For Jewish Guests
  • 7 years ago
A hotel in the Swiss Alps is facing allegations of anti-Semitism after a Jewish family who stayed there spoke out about signs specifically addressed to its Jewish guests.

A hotel in Arosa, Switzerland is facing allegations of anti-Semitism after a Jewish family who stayed there spoke out about signs specifically addressed to its Jewish guests, reports The Telegraph.
Images, which have since gone viral, show one reading, “To our Jewish Guests, Women, Men and Children. Please take a shower before you go swimming and although after swimming. If you break the rules, I’m forced to [close] the swimming pool for you.”
Meanwhile, the other reportedly sets specific times when Jewish guests can access the refrigerator, adding, “I hope you understand that our team does not like being disturbed all the time.”
As the father of the Jewish family who allegedly encountered the signs told Israel’s Channel 2, “We were shocked. None of us went to the refrigerator because we didn’t want there to be an argument but the day after that, the sign at the entrance to the pool suddenly appeared and that was a real embarrassment.” 
However, the owner of Aparthaus Paradeis, Ruth Thomann, has since dismissed claims of anti-Semitism, telling The Algemeiner, “I used the wrong words.” 
She explained about the swimming pool sign, “some of these guests went swimming with clothes on, with T-shirts, and didn’t take a shower.” 
And she says the kitchen sign was posted to prevent staff from being frequently interrupted by Jewish guests who were allowed to store their kosher food in the hotel’s refrigerator.
Thomann added, “We have lots of Jewish guests, and they have been coming here for forty years. I would not take Jewish guests if I had a problem with them.” 
Nevertheless, The Telegraph is reporting that “Israel lodged a formal complaint with the Swiss foreign ministry over the signs.” 
Meanwhile, Tzipi Hotovely, Israeli deputy foreign minister, has been quoted as saying that it is “an anti-Semitic act of the worst and ugliest kind.” 
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