Swiss government denounces antisemitism after outrage over hotel sign
The government of Switzerland denounced antisemitism in a message to Israel following outrage over sign at a Swiss hotel stating that Jewish guests must shower before entering its pool.
Photo: Facebook Documenting Anti-Semitism
Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Tilman Renz told the AFP it had been in touch with the Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland Jacob Keidar, telling him that Switzerland condemns racism, antisemitism and discrimination in any form.
The move by the Swiss government comes after Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely demanded “a formal condemnation” from the Swiss city of Bern and that the removal of the sign had not been enough.
Outrage on social media and from Israeli officials grew in recent days after a picture of a sign at the Paradies apartment hotel in the Alpine village of Arosa had been posted.
“To our Jewish Guests, women, men and children, please take a shower before you go swimming,” the sign said, adding that “If you break the rules I’m forced to (close) the swimming pool for you.”
According to Swiss tourism officials, in recent years there has been a growing number of Orthodox and other Jews traveling to Swiss Alpine villages during the summer months. The manager of the Paradies hotel, Ruth Thomann, who had put up the signs, told the Swiss daily 20Minutes that she was not an anti-Semite and acknowledged that “choice of words was a mistake.”
JNS.org
I wrote to the hotel and to Booking.com through which the Jewish family arranged their stay. The hotel should offer a full public apology, refund the cost of the family’s stay as well as any other Jewish family staying there at that time and sack Ruth Thomann. Thomann claimed that she meant everyone shower and, to be fair, I have seen signs that ask you to shower before entering the pool. However, this was a hand written sign, not one made for everyone, which specifically said Jews. As such, it was blatant anti-Semitism and the only thing that Thomann regrets is being caught and being caught internationally!
The “Choice of words” was not just a mistake; it was a Total outrageous behavior.
It is good that the Swiss Government condemned what had happened.
Whilst we are on the subject of Switzerland; have we forgotten: “Our Murdered GenerationS” and their Swiss Bank Accounts? How long will the Swiss Government allow so many DORMANT ACCOUNTS to remain dormant & begin calling them by their proper name “Stolen Bank Accounts” which must be Claimed (if no descendants [murdered!]; to be claimed by at least) by the World Jewish Community.
Would you permit the Swiss Banks taking advantage of “your” families deposits in particilar after they were murdered? (by their close Neighbours)
“Never Again” ought to mean not allow any injustice to ever happen to our people.