Autistic Boy's Outburst Leads to Family's Ejection From Netanya Hotel

A family vacation in Netanya ended abruptly and distressingly when a 14-year-old boy on the autism spectrum had an outburst in the hotel lobby, leading to his mother and siblings being asked to leave.

Iris Sabar had informed the hotel in advance about her son Uriel's autism and was assured he would be accommodated. For two days, the stay proceeded without incident. However, on Friday, Uriel began shouting in the lobby. Sabar stated that her son did not attack anyone, damage property, or touch anything, but was simply shouting. She attempted to take him to their room to calm down, but claims the reception manager began yelling at her, threatening a lawsuit, and demanding they leave.

Despite Sabar's efforts to de-escalate, including agreeing to avoid the dining room with her son, the situation worsened. After a brief apology from the manager, who cited the impending arrival of "important people," the family was ultimately told to vacate the premises when Uriel called for his mother loudly in the lobby.

Following their return home, the hotel refunded the cost of the unused days but offered no further compensation. After the incident was reported, the hotel issued an apology, with the manager stating he did not intend to cause harm.

However, the Ministry of Tourism has intervened. Director-General Michael Itzhakov sent a letter to the Israel Hotel Association, calling the incident "serious and outrageous," and demanding an investigation. He emphasized that families with special needs children deserve respectful treatment and security, not humiliation and discrimination.