Queer advocacy in the Israel–Hamas war

situation

Queer advocacy during the Israel–Hamas war has is a very controversial subject. A few queer people allied themselves with pro-Palestinian causes, especially in protest movements against the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza [en].[a][1][2] A few pro-Palestinian queers have claimed common cause between Queer liberation and Palestinian liberation.[3] But liberal Zionists (and conservative Zionists) have called such movements antisemitic and self-contradictory. Some pro-Israeli queers, and liberal Zionists, have complained about feeling excluded from traditionally queer spaces due to pro-Palestinian queer advocacy. Palestinian Queer advocacy groups such as Al Qaws object to "pinkwashing" [en] in Israeli war propaganda [en].

Picture of Crowd at Pro-Palestine Protest at Logroño Pride Carrying Pride Flags and Slogan "Stop the Genocide"
Pro-Palestine Protest at Logroño Pride
A sea of Israeli flags during The 2023 March for Israel Rally, including one Pride flag with the Star of David in the center
2023 March for Israel Rally

Pro-Israeli queer advocacy

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As a result of the ongoing Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis, Tel Aviv cancelled its 2024 Pride Parade celebration.[4] Many pro-Israeli queers have felt unease in some queer spaces as a result of queer pro-Palestinian advocacy.[5][6][7]

Two previous pride parades in Israel, in Jerusalem, were attacked by a religious extremist terrorist.[source?]

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  1. There was also violence in the occupied West Bank but most protests focused on Gaza.

References

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  1. Prager, Sarah (5 February 2024). "Queer people continue organizing in solidarity with Palestine". Prism. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  2. Howse, Lito (21 November 2023). Queers tell us why they're marching for Palestine. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  3. "Israel-Hamas war protests have disrupted Pride marches across the U.S." NBC News. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  4. "Tel Aviv cancels annual Pride Parade out of respect for hostage situation". The Times of Israel. 8 May 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  5. Freeman, Ben (16 June 2024). "'Queers for Palestine' are forcing LGBTQ+ Jews back into the closet - opinion". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  6. Massel, Rebecca (28 June 2024). "'Non-Zionary': How some queer Jews are wrestling with Israel". The Forward. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. Lapin, Andrew (22 June 2024). "This Pride, queer US Jews are feeling the strain — and sometimes unsafe — over Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.