Florida hotel discriminated against Arab American group after Oct. 7 attack: DOJ

Agreed with a hotel owner in the tourist area of ​​Orlando, Florida US Department of Justice on a discrimination lawsuit filed against the resort after Hamas canceled a planned conference for the Arab-American group in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

In a complaint filed Thursday, the DOJ accused AWH Orlando Property, owner of the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Hotel at SeaWorld, of discriminating on the basis of national origin when it refused to host the Arab America Foundation’s annual summit in November 2023.

The DOJ said it didn’t threats or special risks said he was visiting the hotel in connection with the summit and that there was no other discriminatory reason to cancel the meeting for the Arab-American cultural and educational group.

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Department of Justice seals are seen during a press conference at the DOJ office on May 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

“Simply because of the ongoing war in the Middle East, the hotel did not want an Arab group – in this case, the Foundation – to hold an event at the DoubleTree,” the complaint said. “This is the first time in years that DoubleTree has canceled an event against a customer’s wishes.”

The entrepreneur denied the charges and did not accept responsibility. The owner’s attorneys said in a statement that the owner and the DOJ reached a settlement shortly after the complaint was filed to avoid protracted litigation.

“We are deeply committed to inclusion and creating a welcoming environment for all,” the statement said. “

The US Department of Justice appears in Washington on June 11, 2021 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

AWH Partners said it has “no control, such as access or involvement” in the hotel’s management or operations because it is a passive, limited partner investor.

Under the terms of the agreement, the hotel must provide the Arab American Foundation with a statement within one month that it welcomes all guests regardless of race, color, religion or national origin.

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The hotel must also adopt a written anti-discrimination policy and communicate with at least five Arab or Arab American groups and state that the hotel welcomes all members of the community.

The contract is still a. must be approved by federal judge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.