Patrik Ongaro, owner of a hotel in Selva di Cadore, province of Belluno, Italy, is at the center of a crisis after refusing a reservation to an Israeli couple, accusing them of being “responsible for genocide”.
The decision generated a wave of indignation on social media and was widely condemned by various sectors.
The controversy led to the hotel Garni Ongaro to end its activities on social networks.
Amid the crisis, Ongaro attempted to contain the damage by sending a statement to the ANSA news agency. In the statement, he apologized and denied any racist or anti-Semitic intentions, saying he was “against any form of violence.” Furthermore, the owner said he was willing to welcome the Israeli couple again, admitting the mistake in his initial message.
However, the consequences were swift and severe. The booking platform Booking.com suspended its partnership with the hotel, de-accrediting it from the system.
The case also caught the attention of local authorities. Luca Zaia, governor of the Veneto region, spoke out firmly, highlighting the seriousness of the situation:
“I feel deeply disturbed and shocked by what happened. Veneto must guarantee open doors to everyone. I continue to hope that what is reported is not true, because this is not Venetian hospitality. Our tourism offering must be inclusive, apolitical and respectful of everyone. I have stressed this many times and I reaffirm that episodes like this are unacceptable: Veneto is not like that. For centuries we have been a people open to the world, respecting the identities of others. The Venetian Republic was an example of integration, welcoming communities such as the Jewish community and promoting cultural exchange with the Middle East and the Arab world, which enriched not only Veneto, but all of Italy,” he told Rai News.
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