Dublin Hotel’s Cancellation of Antisemitism Conference Raises Concerns

A hotel in Dublin declined to host an international conference aimed at addressing antisemitism, withdrawing room reservations for delegates after the hotel’s general manager questioned the involvement of the Israel Defense Forces. Maurice Cohen, the chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, shared this information following a meeting with the hotel representatives.

The meeting took place with organizers to discuss logistics for the Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism Conference. This event brought together Jewish leaders, diplomats, and officials dedicated to combating antisemitism. Cohen, along with other organizers, had secured written confirmation for 70 reserved rooms at the Herbert Park Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

During the discussion, Cohen explained the event’s nature and the profile of attendees, which included Jewish community representatives and government officials. He was surprised by the manager’s question about the IDF’s involvement. Cohen clarified that the IDF had no connection to the conference.

Despite assurances, the hotel notified organizers the next day via email that the event could not be accommodated. The hotel later informed them that the reserved rooms were no longer available, claiming an automatic release occurrence a week before. Cohen questioned why this was not mentioned during their initial meeting.

The incident has sparked concern among Jewish leaders, including Israel’s ambassador to the UN, who criticized it as an example of the antisemitism the conference was meant to counter. Cohen expressed disappointment, recalling personal events held previously at the hotel.

In Ireland, where the Jewish community numbers around 2,200, antisemitic incidents are often underdocumented due to a lack of formal recording systems. The Jewish Representative Council documented 143 antisemitic incidents recently, reflecting only a fraction of the experiences.

The broader climate in Ireland has grown challenging for Jewish residents, which Cohen attributes to what he calls ‘ambient antisemitism.’ Recent geopolitical tensions, including attacks by Hamas, have exacerbated feelings of vulnerability among the Jewish community.

Questions posed to the Irish government about the hotel’s actions remain unanswered, although Prime Minister Micheál Martin publicly denounced antisemitism in an earlier interview. Calls for understanding and training on contemporary antisemitism for the hotel management were made by Cohen, highlighting the importance of awareness.

Efforts to seek comments from the hotel’s ownership and management have not yielded responses. Cohen and others seek a dialogue aimed at reducing ignorance and promoting informed perspectives on antisemitism in Ireland.