Dublin hotel canceled bookings for antisemitism conference, Jewish leader charges

The Herbert Park Hotel in Dublin recently withdrew a reservation for 70 rooms that were supposed to host participants from an international conference aimed at combating antisemitism. The cancellation came to light following remarks made by Maurice Cohen, Chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, at a reception held at the Irish Foreign Ministry.

Cohen mentioned that the hotel management questioned whether the event was linked to the Israel Defense Forces, a claim which contradicted the fact that the conference was a civilian gathering focused on addressing antisemitism. The European Jewish Congress denounced this incident as deeply disturbing, stating that the hotel's decision to cancel accommodation for these participants only exacerbated the prejudice and suspicion that such conferences attempt to dispel.

This act of exclusion and discrimination against those working to combat antisemitism is profoundly troubling and underscores the need for Jewish organizations and advocates against hatred to receive support and respect, rather than facing hostility. The conference, the 15th meeting of the Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) Forum, was organized by the World Jewish Congress and the European Commission, and took place from October 12 to 14 in Dublin.

The event brought together Jewish community leaders, government envoys, representatives from international organizations, and executives from technology companies. Attendees included leaders from various Jewish communities, such as the J7 Large Communities Task Force Against Antisemitism, which included representatives from the Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, and the Anti-Defamation League, among others.

The forum included discussions with Ireland's Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and visits to tech giants like TikTok and Meta, highlighting the importance of addressing antisemitism through practical solutions and policy reforms. Despite the current tensions between Ireland and Israel, the conference was officially welcomed by Irish ministers, particularly highlighting the focus on artificial intelligence and the regulation of online platforms, given the rising incidents of antisemitism and other forms of online hate.