One would think that Israel, a literal refuge for gay Palestinians facing persecution in the Palestinian territories, would be praised by left-wing gay and transgender rights activists for its openness and inclusivity. You would, of course, be wrong.
As is often the case with progressive activists, the “mission creep” temptation is too strong. Because there are many on the far Left who sympathize with the “underdog” view of the Palestinians, they can’t help but oppose Israel, even if it means betraying their professed commitment to gay and transgender rights.
The Hollywood Reporter explains the latest outrage:
The pledge was organized by Palestinian queer organizations and PACBI, the academic and cultural arm of the Boycott Divestment Sanctions movement, a pro-Palestinian activist group that seeks to cut, among other things, global cultural ties with Israel in protest of the country’s treatment of Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.
These Western anti-Israel activists have taken advantage of ignorance about Israel’s record on gay and transgender issues in order to vilify the country in pursuit of their political agenda. In a country filled with some of the most traditional and religiously observant communities in the world, one might be surprised to learn that Israel is actually the safest place in the Middle East for gay and lesbian people.
The gay and lesbian scene in Israel is one of the most vibrant in the world, especially in the modern metropolis of Tel Aviv. The most popular tourism companies and government websites alike boast of the offerings for tourists who want to plug into the gay scene in Israel.
The Israeli government is proud of its country’s inclusiveness, writing:
Israel adamantly protects the rights of its gay citizens, and the LGBT community is represented in the highest echelons and in all facets of Israeli society — from serving openly in the military (since 1993), to government, business, entertainment and the arts.
Are gay and transgender rights the most important issues, or do these liberals prefer just to use the gay community as a cudgel to attack Israel? The answer is, sadly, quite clear: For these 100 protesting filmmakers, and undoubtedly many other Hollywood liberals, pursuing a political vendetta is evidently more important than actually advancing the gay rights cause.
Bethany Mandel (@bethanyshondark) is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of four and freelance writer. She is an editor at Ricochet.com, a columnist at the Forward, and a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog.
