There are cheeky TV pharisees like Oliver Pocher and all sorts of media people who are sometimes loudly outraged, sometimes moderately reviewing the events in the Leipzig “Westin” hotel.
After the proceedings in Leipzig have been discontinued, the cauldron of opinion in which Gil Ofarim is stewed is boiling. It can be stated that the 41-year-old singer’s vain pushing forward action on October 5, 2021, in combination with the invented anti-Semitism, continues to be an “excitement” in the top cabin even days later.
Now it’s time to calculate the amount of damage caused by the campaign. As is well known, the regional court in Leipzig called for 10,000 euros and thus stopped the defamation case against Ofarim. Around 20,000 euros in “compensation” will go to the hotel manager Markus W, who is accused of anti-Semitism. The “Bild” newspaper also reports legal and procedural costs of a generous 130,000 euros.
Now another set of figures floats through the follow-up reporting:
How much damage can be estimated that The Westin hotel suffered as a result of damage control and cancellations?
Finally, after the confessional Instagram video was clicked millions of times, there were numerous cancellations for the hotel, which have not yet been precisely quantified.
The “Bild” newspaper and the local press even speak of millions in damages, after all, the “Westin” belongs to an upscale international chain that is concerned about reputation. The hotel business in the 2020s is not least about reviews from valued customers.
The reports state that the neighboring (and completely uninvolved) Best Western hotel also had to deal with overambitious abusive calls at the time. International Leipzig guests who were particularly insecure had looked for other accommodation in the trade fair city.
Background: On the evening after the alleged Star of David scandal, around 400 people demonstrated in front of the “Westin” foyer. The local management decided to join the demonstration against anti-Semitism. A mega-stressful situation for management.
The accused receptionist Markus W., 35, even has to “go into hiding” for 10 days. A hotel employee reported on the days that followed: “The phone rang so often that sometimes we just hung up.”
So far, when asked, the management has not commented on whether they are seeking any damages from Gil Ofarim in a civil lawsuit. Not an easy balancing act.
Another trial would keep the Star of David case simmering. The hotel industry requires discretion, discreet calm and containment.