When New York-based Sruly Fogel checked into London Manor House Travelodge in north London for his cousin's wedding, he didn't expect to encounter a contentious message on the hotel's TV. The 'Free Palestine' greeting displayed on his television caused him significant distress, with Mr Fogel describing himself as feeling "really uncomfortable" due to the incident.
The hotel, situated near Europe's largest strictly Orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill, is now at the centre of a highly unusual incident that has sparked an internal investigation by Travelodge. Despite reviewing activity logs for the TV, room swipe data, CCTV footage, and interviewing staff members, the hotel chain has been unable to identify how or when the message was placed on the specific television.
A thorough examination across other rooms in the Manor House hotel and nationwide revealed that the 'Free Palestine' message appeared solely in Mr Fogel's room. In response to this unresolved matter, Travelodge's chief executive, Jo Boydell, has personally apologised to the guest and assured him of their zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination.
Travelodge has also announced plans to introduce cultural sensitivity training for its staff, with discussions underway with a prominent Jewish organisation to develop an appropriate programme. The Metropolitan Police conducted inquiries into the incident but have since closed their investigation pending new information. An independent review, led by a barrister, is currently examining Travelodge's room access policies.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed astonishment at the closure of both police and hotel investigations, suggesting that identifying the responsible party should not be complicated given access to equipment and CCTV footage. The incident highlights the importance of effective measures against antisemitism in public spaces and underscores the need for robust protocols and training.
In a statement, Travelodge confirmed its commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all guests, stating: "We take incidents like this extremely seriously and are taking steps to prevent similar situations arising in the future. We will continue to work with the Jewish community and other stakeholders to ensure that our hotels are welcoming spaces for everyone."