A hotel in Boston has stirred controversy by canceling two planned Passover meals just two days before they were set to occur. The Iris Hotel Boston, located in Brookline, a suburb known for its large Jewish community, decided to host Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib instead, who is known for her outspoken views on Israel.
The hotel was supposed to hold the Seder meals on Saturday evening. According to a source involved with the planning, the cancellation left many guests disappointed. Sosi Rochel, who was invited to the Passover dinner, expressed her frustration. She had looked forward to celebrating the holiday at a non-Jewish venue in the heart of a Jewish neighborhood. Seeing the hotel fly a Palestinian flag outside while canceling the Seders felt like a slap in the face to her and others in the community.
The Iris Hotel is owned by Anwar Faisal, who has been criticized for his management of rental properties and has a history of supporting Tlaib. Reports indicate that Faisal donated significant amounts to her campaign in 2023. On the night of the cancellation, the hotel hosted a private screening of a film about Palestinians, which Tlaib attended. Staff confirmed her presence at the hotel that evening.
In a statement, the hotel’s management company, Wagner Hospitality Management, defended their actions. They claimed the Palestinian flag was flown as a sign of respect for Tlaib’s heritage and insisted that it was not a political statement. They stated that the flag was displayed only for the day of Tlaib’s visit and emphasized their commitment to serving all guests, including the Jewish community.
The cancellation of the Passover meals and the choice to welcome Tlaib has drawn sharp criticism. Sam Markstein, a spokesperson for the Republican Jewish Coalition, called for an apology from the hotel owners, stating that their actions were disrespectful to the Jewish community. Liora Rez, the executive director of StopAntisemitism, described the hotel’s decision as a troubling act of complicity in hate.
As the situation continues to unfold, many in the local community are left wondering about the implications of the hotel’s choices and what they mean for the relationship between local businesses and their communities.