Bram Settenbrino in Ynet interview
(Video: Yaron Brenner)
Bram Settenbrino, a lone soldier from the U.S. who fought in Gaza, and his family’s business in New York have been haunted by antisemitic and anti-Israel protests calling for the business’ boycott due to his involvement in the war that launched on October 7.
Now, since returning to the U.S., Settenbrino is continuing to help with his parents’ hotel in the city called the Historic Blue Moon Hotel – which he had done remotely while in Israel following grueling shifts and combat in Gaza. The protesters, for their part, hung filers near the hotel labeling the lone solider a “war criminal” and accusing him of “blowing up a mosque.”
Talking to Ynet, Settenbrino recounted the active part he took in the war after Hamas’ attack and described the hateful campaign currently ongoing against him, his family and their business.
Let's go back for a moment: October 7 catches you in Israel, still on active duty. You jump into the war with full force until you are discharged.
Yes, that's exactly what happened. It was an honor to serve in the IDF, defend the homeland, fight the Hamas terror organization and try to bring our people home.
Yes, and you’ve done so wholeheartedly. Then you get discharged, fly back home to where you've lived all your life, to your family who owns a hotel there. You go to help them, and then the real chaos begins, it seems.
"Yes, here's what happened. Some people with no significance came to our business to harass us and try to make life uncomfortable. But we are strong. We have so many supporters sending us messages, helping us on Instagram, Facebook, like [journalist] Hanoch Daum, who posted something really nice from my commander. People are helping us cope with the situation."
So, Bram, there are calls to boycott your family's hotel because you took part in the war. According to them, you also posted videos, right?
"Yes."
Is there tangible economic harm because of these calls for a boycott? Are you seeing fewer visitors, and do those who come leave because of the protests?
"Unfortunately, people notice these liars standing outside the hotel and disturbing my family, which hurts us. Sadly, they harass people, and people don't want to be in a place where there are people outside yelling stuff. People come to the hotel to relax and enjoy the city. It's important that people support us, my family. After everything they’ve sacrificed. My brother is still in the army, a lone soldier."
So, what would you like to see happen now? Do you want Israelis visiting the area to come stay at your hotel? What are you expecting?
"First of all, I'll say that our hotel is the only Jewish hotel, I think, in New York right now. It's also the only family-owned hotel. It's just my family working there: I work there, my sister works there, my brother works there and my parents work there. It's small, family-owned and Jewish. Many people want to support and visit us, which is great.
"We greatly appreciate you and your support. We also have a family foundation. You can find it on our website, our Instagram. Anyone who wants to donate, it's for a blessing. It's a foundation that helps the history of Jews in New York, specifically in our neighborhood. My father is very involved in this."
By the way, isn't anyone helping you deal with the people breaking the law and spreading misinformation against you and your father?
"Not at the moment. People send us lots of messages, lots of things on social media, and yes."