Turkish hotel refuses to host 'Israeli' citizen over Gaza war

A hotel in eastern Türkiye has refused accommodation to an 'Israeli' citizen after he presented his passport at check-in, according to Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak.

The incident took place at the Tatvan Park Hotel in the city of Bitlis, where the guest, identified as Osher Weidberg, said he was denied entry solely because of his nationality.

Weidberg posted about the encounter online, describing it as “a very disappointing experience,” adding that the hotel “refused to let me check in solely because of my nationality.” He also alleged that the hotel declined to refund his payment.

In response, the hotel’s owner publicly confirmed the decision, citing the ongoing ‘Israeli’ actions in Gaza as the reason for the refusal. “Yes, because you hold an Israeli passport, even with your money, you cannot stay here,” the owner said. “This is because you are killing human beings and destroying their homes in Palestine, in Gaza.”