A Dublin hotel declined to host an international event aimed at combating antisemitism and canceled approximately 70 reserved rooms for delegates. This decision followed a meeting where the general manager questioned the involvement of the Israel Defense Forces, according to Maurice Cohen, chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland.
Cohen recounted his meeting with the Herbert Park Hotel’s representatives on May 7, where he and an organizer described the upcoming gathering. The event was linked to the Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism Conference held in Dublin that week, which aimed to address antisemitism alongside Jewish leaders, diplomats, and government officials.
The Herbert Park Hotel, a 4-star establishment in Ballsbridge, Dublin, had confirmed approximately 70 rooms for the participants. During the meeting, the general manager appeared concerned when discussing the event and asked if the IDF would be part of it. Cohen expressed his astonishment at the question, stressing the irrelevance of the IDF to an antisemitism conference. The manager did not provide clarification and stated she would need to consult the hotel’s owners about proceeding with the event.
Cohen recalled, “What would the IDF have to do with a conference on antisemitism?”
The organizers received an email on May 8, stating the hotel could not accommodate their event. A few days later, they found out that the reserved rooms had been released without prior notice. Cohen criticized this as a retrospective justification for the room cancellation.
In a separate address on October 13 at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Cohen shared his dismay, highlighting the contrast between past positive experiences at the hotel and the sudden change in treatment due to the Jewish nature of the event.
This incident adds to concerns among Jewish leaders about antisemitism in Ireland, particularly as the nation lacks official mechanisms for tracking such incidents. The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland reported 143 self-reported antisemitic incidents in a six-month period, indicating potential underreporting.
Cohen described the current climate for Jewish and Israeli individuals in Ireland as “ambient antisemitism,” worsening since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
Fox News Digital sought comments from the Irish government regarding the hotel’s actions, but at the time of publication, no response was received. Prime Minister Micheál Martin previously stated no tolerance for antisemitism in September interviews, responding to ongoing discussions on the country’s stance.
Cohen urged the Herbert Park Hotel’s management to engage directly with Jewish community representatives and undergo antisemitism awareness training. He emphasized the need for recognition and correction of behaviors that contribute to antisemitism.
Post-address, Cohen received personal messages from Irish lawmakers and civil servants but noted the absence of broad government condemnation. The hotel’s owners did not respond to inquiries by the time of publication. Journalist Ariella Noveck specializes in antisemitism and Middle East affairs.