Japan hotel asks Israeli tourist to sign war crimes declaration

A hotel in Japan has asked an Israeli tourist to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes during his military service, against the backdrop of Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, which international legal bodies are investigating as possible genocide.

An employee at the Wind Villa Hotel in Kyoto presented the tourist with a form requiring him to affirm he had not committed war crimes, including rape, killing of surrendered individuals, or attacks on civilians, Ynet reported.

The tourist told the Israeli daily that hotel staff had informed him the policy applied to both Israeli and Russian guests.

Initially refusing to sign, citing a desire to "stay out of politics", he eventually agreed, saying he had "nothing to hide" and did not want to cause any problems, describing the form as ultimately meaningless to him.

The declaration, shared with Ynet, reportedly reads: "I have never been involved in any war crimes that violate international law and humanitarian law; I have never committed war crimes, including but not limited to: attacks on civilians (children, women, etc.), killing or mistreating those who have surrendered or been taken as prisoners of war; torture or inhumane treatment; sexual violence, forced displacement, or looting; any other acts that fall under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"I have never planned, ordered, aided, abetted, or incited war crimes, nor have I participated in such acts. I pledge to continue complying with international law and humanitarian law and never to engage in war crimes in any form."

Following the incident, the tourist contacted Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen, who sent a letter to Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki, describing the requirement as a "discriminatory act based solely on nationality".

The governor later informed the ambassador that an official investigation had been launched into the hotel’s conduct.

However, the hotel's management defended its decision, citing growing concerns over Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed over 61,700 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children and 12,000 women.

"Since young Israelis are required to serve in the army, we do not know who may have been involved," the manager told Ynet. "We believe we have the right to know who we are hosting. This step was also intended to guarantee our safety."

Last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found it plausible that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The International Criminial Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.