The new and proud hotel Inta, which just opened on the border between Jaffa and Tel Aviv, not only wants to create a bridge between the LGBTQ community and straight people, but also between Arabs and Jews
On the seam line between Jaffa and Tel Aviv, the first gay hotel in Israel was established, in a perfect timing for both the events of the Eurovision and the upcoming gay pride events. The name of the hotel is Inta, "you" in Arabic, and its very establishment, even without the Orientalism that arises from the title, raises questions about the validity and justification of businesses classified themselves as gay. However, nothing would break the spirit of the entrepreneurs - high-tech businessman: Amir Shalev, and landscape architect: Ziv Cohen - who marked Jaffa as the most attractive tourist destination for gay tourism.
"What brought us to Jaffa was the beautiful building that we found during the searches," explains Cohen. "We fell in love with the spot - at a meeting between Jerusalem Boulevard and Derekh Ben-Zvi - because he combined our vision of multiculturalism and the connection of the Hipster Tel Aviv to the historical parts of Jaffa".
Shalev adds: "Jaffa has long been an attraction to the LGBTQ community. They work in Jaffa and go there on weekends, whether to the flea market or just eat something sweet in Motran, so why not a hotel? Why not expose tourists to all this beauty? I would also love the local LGBTQs to leave central Tel Aviv for a moment and come to Jaffa."
© Ilya Melnikov
Were you not worried that opening the hotel would cause discontent among the veteran residents?
Cohen: "There were a few questions about this, but it's not something we felt we should be afraid of...On the contrary, it's important for us to be involved, take an active part and show that Jaffa is a stunning place, that we respect the residents here and that we can be the place that is a bridge. Naivety and optimism isn't something we are ashamed of, along with the belief that we can spread light and positively influence the public".
Will there be activities for Arab gays or events that encourage coexistence?
"Coexistence and equality is in our DNA and of the place we want to establish. A significant part of my experience and sense of mission as an Israeli is to compensate for the exclusion and trampling of Arab culture and of my Arab friends by Israeli statehood and, subsequently, by popular Israeli culture". "Anyone who has no problem with LGBTQ community is welcome to stay at the hotel, regardless of religion, race or gender. At first it may be difficult to accept this and the content will not be exactly suitable for straight people, but as we move forward we see this project as much more than a hotel. As far as we're concerned, it will be an institution for all the LGBTQ.
Inta Hotel, 3 Ben-Zvi Rd, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 058-456-7340, intahotel.com