DUBLIN (VINnews)  — A luxury hotel in Dublin has reportedly canceled a block booking of 70 rooms for delegates attending an international conference on combating antisemitism, allegedly after discovering the purpose of the gathering.

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The incident involved the four-star Herbert Park Hotel in the Irish capital’s Ballsbridge neighborhood and was disclosed by Maurice Cohen, chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, during a reception at Ireland’s Foreign Ministry marking the opening of the conference.

According to Cohen, the hotel initially confirmed the reservation for participants attending the 15th meeting of the Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA), but subsequently withdrew the booking after staff learned that the guests were participating in an antisemitism conference.

Cohen also alleged that hotel management questioned whether the event had any connection to the IDF, despite the gathering being an entirely civilian and diplomatic initiative with no military involvement.

The incident was first reported by Israeli media, including Ynet, which said that a hotel manager declined to comment when approached about the allegations. A separate inquiry was reportedly directed to the hotel’s corporate management. No public explanation for the cancellation has been established.

The conference brought together representatives from across the European Union as part of SECCA, an international network supported by the World Jewish Congress and the European Commission.

The meeting took place during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and was intended to underscore the country’s commitment to combating antisemitism, including through the working definition developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

The definition, adopted or endorsed by numerous governments and institutions, provides guidance for identifying antisemitism, including instances in which hostility toward Israel crosses into anti-Jewish discrimination.

In May 2026, SECCA representatives issued a joint statement expressing deep concern about rising antisemitism worldwide, including attacks targeting synagogues, Jewish schools and community gatherings. The statement urged governments to strengthen security, prosecute hate crimes and expand Holocaust education.

The hotel controversy comes amid increasing concern within Ireland’s Jewish community about hostility toward Jews and Israelis, particularly since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre in southern Israel and the subsequent Gaza war.

Jewish community representatives have reported incidents of harassment, intimidation and physical aggression, including allegations of Jews being spat at or assaulted in public places and on public transportation. Relations between Ireland and Israel have also deteriorated sharply amid disagreements over the Gaza conflict.

Recent controversies have included the cancellation of a theatrical production dealing with the October 7 attacks, Irish broadcaster RTÉ’s decision not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s involvement, and disputes surrounding sporting events involving Israeli teams.

The controversy also coincided with a visit to Dublin by senior Jewish leaders from seven of the world’s largest diaspora communities. On October 13, representatives of the J7, an international coalition of Jewish organizations from Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, gathered at Herzog Park in Dublin to express solidarity with Ireland’s Jewish community.

The delegation met with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, government officials and local Jewish representatives to discuss concerns about antisemitism.

Cohen addressed the gathering, which also featured remarks from Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt on behalf of the international delegation. According to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the visit was intended to draw attention to antisemitic rhetoric and incidents in Ireland against the backdrop of rising anti-Jewish hatred internationally.