Booking.com Issues Warning After Israeli Denied Accommodation Over Nationality

An Israeli tourist, Simcha Goldstein, was denied a confirmed booking at the 4-star NAPOLI MOOD Il Golfo Apartments in Naples, Italy, after receiving a message stating, "You can cancel it, I do not accept citizens from countries accused of genocide." The message was sent through Booking.com's messaging system after Goldstein requested to check in.

Despite the explicit refusal based on his nationality, Booking.com did not remove the property from its platform. Instead, the company issued a warning to the accommodation provider. The organization "B'Tselem" (meaning 'in the image of God'), through its CEO Chi Glick, sent a demand to Booking.com to remove the property, take action against its management, and assist Goldstein. Glick argued the refusal constituted severe discrimination based on nationality and violated Booking.com's own non-discrimination policy.

In response to inquiries, Booking.com stated that properties joining their platform agree to a non-discrimination clause. The company confirmed it issued a warning to the property and would consider further action if similar behavior recurs. The accommodation provider did not respond to requests for comment. This incident follows a series of reported anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish incidents in Italy, including an anonymous form circulated on social media encouraging reports of Israeli and Jewish tourists in hotels and businesses, which was later removed after intervention by Italy's anti-Semitism coordinator.