DayofPal– A hotel in Kyoto has required an Israeli tourist to sign a declaration affirming he has never committed war crimes before allowing him to check in in an unprecedented move reflecting shifting global sentiment.
The tourist, a former combat medic in Israel’s navy reserves, was asked to complete the form after presenting his Israeli passport at the Wind Villa Hotel.
The declaration demanded he confirm he had never engaged in attacks on civilians, torture, sexual violence, ethnic cleansing, or the looting and forced displacement of populations.
According to local reports, the hotel’s policy applies to guests holding Israeli or Russian passports, citing concerns over potential violations of international law.
The form references Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which defines war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Despite calling the request “ridiculous and absurd,” the Israeli tourist ultimately signed the form to secure his stay. The incident was first reported by Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
The Wind Villa Hotel’s move comes against the backdrop of increasing international condemnation of Israel’s military operations, particularly the devastating assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
More than 168,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed or wounded in the genocide, with over 11,000 others still missing beneath the rubble.
Human rights groups, legal experts, and activists worldwide have accused Israeli forces of committing genocide and crimes against humanity.
Recent investigations have also exposed chilling reports of torture against Palestinian detainees, including unnecessary amputations performed without anesthesia by Israeli doctors in detention centers.
Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen swiftly condemned the hotel’s actions, labeling them “discriminatory” and “unacceptable.” However, the incident reflects a broader trend: growing grassroots movements across the globe are demanding full sanctions against Israel, including boycotts of Israeli-linked businesses and institutions, until the occupation and military operations cease.
This is not the first such controversy in Japan. In June 2024, another Kyoto hotel reportedly canceled a reservation by an Israeli settler due to suspected military connections.
As Israel’s genocide continues, public pressure is mounting and institutions, from universities to hotels, are increasingly taking visible stances.
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