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Tokyo Weekender
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
Israeli Tourist Required To Sign War Crimes Declaration at Kyoto Guesthouse
An Israeli tourist got a shock this week while checking in at a hotel in Kyoto. A former combat medic in the Navy reserves, he was asked to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes during his military service. The incident occurred at Guesthouse Wind Villa in the city's Higashiyama district on Saturday. According to the visitor, he was handed the form after presenting his passport at reception. He was then told he wouldn't be able to check in if he didn't sign the declaration. He initially refused but eventually relented when the hotel employee informed him that all guests from Israel and Russia were required to sign it. 'It's ridiculous and absurd,' he said . 'I told him we don't kill women and children. Why would we do that?' 'In the end, I decided to sign it because I have nothing to hide. The statement is true — I did not commit any war crimes, and Israeli soldiers do not commit war crimes. I signed because I didn't want to create problems, and because this form means nothing.' List of Contents: Hotel Manager Defends War Crimes Declaration Document Israeli Tourist Refused Accommodation at Kyoto Hotel in 2024 Related Posts Hotel Manager Defends War Crimes Declaration Document In response, the hotel manager said , 'I don't think it is ridiculous. It is mandatory to serve in the army in your country. Since Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in October 2023, we do not know who may have been involved, as young Israelis are required to serve in the army. We cannot distinguish between our guests. In any case, we believe we have the right to ensure who we are hosting in our hotel. This step was also intended to guarantee our safety.' Unsurprisingly, Gilad Cohen, the Israeli ambassador to Japan, saw things differently. He penned a strongly worded letter to Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki. 'This discriminatory act, based solely on nationality, caused the guest significant emotional distress and discomfort,' he wrote. 'We view this incident as extremely serious and unacceptable. It constitutes a blatant violation of Japan's Hotel Business Law and the values of equality and non-discrimination that we believe are shared by our two nations. Particularly concerning is the fact that this does not appear to be an isolated case.' Israeli Tourist Refused Accommodation at Kyoto Hotel in 2024 In June of last year, an employee at Hotel Material, also in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, refused accommodation to an Israeli man, citing his possible involvement in the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The hotel was instructed by the city that it had violated a law that prohibits facilities from refusing to accommodate visitors except under special circumstances. At a press conference, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa described the hotel's actions as 'unacceptable.' She added, 'We hope all visitors to Japan will be able to engage in various activities in Japan feeling secure.' The employee involved was fired. Related Posts Japan One of Four Nations To Reject Russia's Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire US and Other Western Ambassadors To Skip Nagasaki Peace Ceremony Due to Israel Snub Japanese Company Itochu To Cut Ties with Israeli Weapons Firm
Al Bawaba
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Kyoto hotel demands Israeli tourist to sign 'no war crimes' form
Published April 27th, 2025 - 07:10 GMT ALBAWABA - A Japanese guest house in Kyoto, Japan, recently went viral after demanding an Israeli tourist sign a "pledge of non-involvement in war crimes," due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza. The brave move prompted Israel's ambassador in Tokyo to release an official statement criticizing the hotel. The list asks if the signer ever committed any war crimes, including attacking civilians (including women and children), killing or mistreating those who have surrendered or been taken as prisoners of war, torturing someone, or sexually assaulting someone. ⚡️🇯🇵🇮🇱JUST IN:A hotel named Guesthouse Wind Villa in Tokyo asked guests to sign a pledge of non-involvement in war crimes. In response, the Israeli embassy in Japan sent an angry letter after an Israeli guest was asked to fill out the form. — Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) April 26, 2025 Kyoto's Guesthouse WIND VILLA sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users applauding the hotel for its stance against the war crimes committed by Israel since Oct. 7, 2023. Japan has witnessed a high number of pro-Palestine protests across the country, in demand of a ceasefire in Gaza. Several others urged people visiting Kyoto, Japan, to offer the hotel a visit and book a stay there to showcase their support by linking to its " reservation page. According to the statement released by the Israeli ambassador, the form in question also targets Russian nationals due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The ambassador called the act "discriminatory" and said that it has caused a great deal of mental strain for the tourist. The ambassador also brought up a similar incident that happened a year ago. The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the killing of at least 51,400 Palestinians and has left nearly 117,000 injured, without counting individuals killed under the rubble due to constant attacks and bombardments. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
