Japanese Hotel Asks Israeli Settler Tourist to Sign Anti-War Crimes Declaration
Kyoto (Quds News Network)- A hotel in Kyoto, Japan, asked an Israeli settler tourist to sign a declaration confirming he had not committed war crimes before allowing him to check in.
The tourist, a former combat medic in Israel’s navy reserves, said staff at the Wind Villa Hotel gave him the form after he presented his Israeli passport. The document demanded he confirm that he had never attacked civilians, killed prisoners, tortured detainees, committed sexual violence, or participated in forced displacement or looting.
The hotel reportedly requires all Israeli and Russian guests to sign the same pledge.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported the incident on Saturday. The Israeli tourist called the request “ridiculous and absurd,” but he eventually signed to avoid being denied a room.
The hotel’s action comes as global awareness grows over Israel’s brutal military assaults, especially the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Israeli forces have killed and wounded over 168,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children. More than 11,000 others remain missing under the rubble.
Meanwhile, more details are being exposed about Israeli horrific torture against Palestinian detainees. Several reports confirmed that Israeli doctors in detention facilities are involved in forms of torture, including unnecessary amputations without anaesthesia.
Human rights organizations, activists, and millions around the world now view Israel’s military actions as crimes against humanity.
The form cited Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It demanded that guests declare they have not committed war crimes such as attacks on civilians, torture, rape, or ethnic cleansing.
Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen condemned the hotel’s move, calling it “discriminatory” and “unacceptable.”
In June 2024, another hotel in Kyoto reportedly canceled a booking by an Israeli settler due to suspected links to the Israeli army.
Since Israel’s genocide in Gaza started, calls for boycotting Israel-linked institutions have grown worldwide. Students, workers, and businesses have joined the movement demanding full sanctions on Israel until it ends its occupation and war crimes.
