The Palestinian Authority is banning all LGBT members from activities in the West Bank.
The ban comes after the group Al-Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, which supports Palestinians who identify as a part of the gay community, was planning to hold a gathering for its members at the end of August, but won’t be able to anymore. Their event was supposed to be held in Nablus.
Luay Zreikat, spokesperson for the PA Police, told the Jerusalem Post that activities from the organization are “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.”
He also claimed that group’s activities were completely “unrelated to religions and Palestinian traditions and customs, especially in the city of Nablus,” and that “dubious parties” were working to “create discord and harm civic peace in Palestinian society.”
Zreikat also warned that they will arrest anyone caught in violation of the law and urged Palestinians to report any violation of the law they witness.
“The Palestinian police announcement about our activities is very unfortunate,” the group stated in response to the new law. “It’s very strange that they are accusing us of being a suspicious entity working to take apart Palestinian society. Al-Qaws is a Palestinian organization that has been operating since 2001 and is carrying out educational and professional programs on sexual and gender diversity. We totally reject the attempt to create an atmosphere of prosecution and intimidation, as well threats of arrest.”
