Yaniv Bender, an Israeli businessman from Savyon, reports that his family was ordered to leave the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa on Tuesday, just one day into their planned week-long stay. According to Bender, the confrontation began after he requested assistance for his wife, who was unwell, and his brother-in-law, who had suffered a skiing injury.
"The hotel manager sort of blew me off, and it escalated from there," Bender told JNS. He claims that when asked why the family was being evicted, the manager explicitly stated, "Because you're Jewish."
The group of eight family members was given 20 minutes to vacate their three rooms, with police eventually called to enforce their departure. Bender says the manager also allegedly used inappropriate language and referred to his children as "barbarians."
The Tschuggen Grand Hotel firmly rejected these allegations in a statement to JNS: "We strongly reject the characterization of events of 14th January by the Bender family, and any accusations of antisemitism or wrongdoing on behalf of our staff." The hotel, which noted it has Jewish owners, stated that the family's behavior left management "no alternative to involving the authorities."
The incident also involved a significant financial dispute. Bender reports that of the $137,000 paid for the stay, the hotel offered to refund only $11,000.
While Arosa and other Swiss resorts have previously faced tensions with Orthodox Jewish guests, particularly during summer months, Bender, who frequently travels to European luxury destinations, insists this case is different. "I've always been sort of skeptic of reports of antisemitism, but this was unmistakable," he stated.
The European Jewish Association (EJA) has taken up the case. Its chairman, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, stated: "Arguments can happen every day, but invoking someone's Judaism and insulting their children is utterly reprehensible and inexcusable." The EJA plans to request Swiss officials conduct a thorough investigation.
JNS contributed to this article.
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