The sign stated that no more sports equipment would be rented to "our Jewish brothers." The message further explained that this decision was made due to various troubling incidents, including a sled being stolen. The sign specifically mentioned that the rental restriction applied to all equipment, including sleds, air boards, ski jackets and snowshoes. The station expressed gratitude for the customers' understanding.
A 21-year-old Orthodox Jewish man who visited the site requested to rent equipment but was denied. "I pretended not to understand Hebrew and asked if we could rent the equipment. After the woman consulted with the manager, she rejected our request," he shared. When the young man inquired about the reason for the refusal, the woman responded that it was not her decision. "The incident left me very saddened. It is discriminatory and antisemitic," he said.
Shortly after, another woman joined the conversation and it was reiterated that the group could not rent any equipment. "It was deeply disheartening. We experienced active discrimination solely based on our religion," she lamented.
Jonathan Kreutner, head of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities, who is believed to be in Davos himself at the moment, said: "It's a shocking and clearly discriminatory poster. An entire group of guests is being collectively labelled because of their appearance and origin."
The shop, which is near the mountain station, released a statement Sunday to explain itself. "Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. We experience these things every day," the statement said. Shop managers explained that some Jewish guests rent sleds but then leave them on the ski slopes, causing problems. Some also call emergency services, even though nobody is hurt.
"We can't take the risk anymore that a guest gets seriously hurt and sues us," shop officials said. But it's not just about safety. The company that runs the rental station also claimed that many Jewish guests rent equipment, like sleds, but don't return them or return them damaged. They also complained that tourists often take the best spots on the terrace or inside the restaurant and turn it into a big picnic event.
