Status: 10/6/2021 10:43 a.m.
He just wanted to check in. But because he wore a chain with a Star of David, a staff member refused to allow the singer Gil Ofarim to do so. The Leipzig hotel now put two employees on leave and condemned anti-Semitism.
After the anti-Semitism accusation of the singer Gil Ofarim, the Leipzig Westin has put two employees on leave. The hotel management was “concerned and alarmed” because of the incident, said the manager of the hotel. “We are a cosmopolitan hotel and reject all forms of intolerance, discrimination and anti-Semitism in the strongest possible way.”
Ofarim posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday accusing a hotel employee of discriminating against him because of his Star of David chain. In a long queue, people were checked in in front of him again and again. When he asked what that was for, someone called: “Pack the Star of David”, whereupon the clerk also said: “Pack the Star of David.” Only then will he have the opportunity to check in. Ofarim closes the video after a long, stunned pause with the words: “Germany 2021.”
The hotel wants to investigate the incident
The hotel management now wants to clear up the incident and contact Ofarim. “Our goal is to integrate, respect and support all of our guests and employees, regardless of religion, skin color or sexual orientation,” said Reichstein.
In a first reaction, employees wanted to set an example on Tuesday evening and stood in front of the hotel with a banner with Israel flags and a crescent moon and star. The Central Council of Jews commented on Twitter that an appropriate reaction would look different.
The public prosecutor’s office is supposed to examine the case
The “Leipzig takes place” initiative called for a demonstration in front of the hotel on Tuesday evening, in which around 600 people took part. According to Leipzig police, Ofarim’s video was secured and the case was submitted to the public prosecutor’s office for review.
If the accusation is correct, an investigation into the abuse of religious beliefs would be conceivable. It is still unclear whether Ofarim wants to bring the case to justice.
The singer was a guest on MDR
Ofarim was in Leipzig because he was a guest at a recording of the MDR was loaded on Monday. “What he then describes from a hotel in Leipzig is deeply shameful. We condemn all anti-Semitic statements and demand complete clarification and consequences,” said one MDR-Speaker.