LGBTQ Palestinians

People hold a Palestinian flag during a pride event under restrictions following the spread of the coronavirus, in Tel Aviv, June 28, 2020. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

A Palestinian trans woman’s story peels away Israel’s pinkwashing veil

From oppressive institutions to social prejudices, MC's ordeal embodies the dark reality of LGBTQ Palestinians who thought they could find safety in Israel.

By Sharona Weiss June 8, 2023

Elias Jahshan. (Courtesy)

‘Queerness is part of Palestinian culture. We’ve existed forever’

Elias Jahshan, editor of the anthology ‘This Arab is Queer,’ discusses sexuality in the Arab world, Israeli pinkwashing, and his dream of a liberated Jaffa.

By Eliyahu Freedman January 18, 2023

LGBTQ youth look out the window as hundreds gather in Jerusalem to demonstrate against the stabbing attack that occurred during the Jerusalem Pride Parade just hours before, July 30, 2015. (Keren Manor/Activestills)

‘I’d rather die in the West Bank’: LGBTQ Palestinians find no safety in Israel

Israel markets itself to the world as an LGBTQ paradise, but testimonies from asylum-seeking queer Palestinians show it sentences them to a life of hell.

By Tamar Ben David and Lilach Ben David September 17, 2021

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LGBTQ Palestinians take part in a protest following the stabbing of a queer Arab teen in Tel Aviv, August 1, 2019. (Mati Milstein)

‘LGBTQ rights have become a litmus test in Palestinian society’

The growing visibility of queer Palestinians poses a challenge to Arab political parties that are exploiting homophobia ahead of the Israeli election, says attorney and activist Fady Khoury.

By Edo Konrad March 17, 2021

Hundreds of Palestinians protested against LGBT violence in Haifa following the stabbing of an Arab transgender teen in Tel Aviv last week. August 1, 2019. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Once taboo, LGBTQ rights take center stage in Palestinian society

Despite pushback from conservatives and caution from politicians, queer Palestinians are gaining new ground in their fight for legitimacy — and they are here to stay.

By Fady Khoury August 21, 2020

Hundreds of Palestinians protested against LGBT violence in Haifa following the stabbing of an Arab transgender teen in Tel Aviv last week. August 1, 2019. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

‘A queer cry for freedom’: Meet the LGBTQ Palestinians demanding liberation

Hundreds of queer Palestinians protested last week following a tumultuous year for the community, which is forced to navigate between homophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.

By Lilach Ben David August 2, 2020

Israelis take part in the annual pride parade in Tel Aviv, June 12, 2015. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

PODCAST: Being Palestinian during Israeli Pride Week

For many queer Palestinians in Israel, celebrating their gender identities while standing up for Palestinian rights is a balancing act — especially during Pride Week. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists descend on Tel Aviv in mid-June for the annual Pride Week festivities, which celebrate Israel’s LGTBQ community with all-night parties, concerts, and a giant…

By +972 Magazine May 31, 2019

Over 150 Jews and Arabs attend the first-ever pride event in the mixed city of Lod, central Israel, July 26, 2018. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Mixed city holds Israel’s first ever Jewish-Arab pride event

Thursday’s event is the first pride event ever to include a speech by an Arab MK. ‘We cannot demand respect while disparaging the other. It is impossible to fight for my equality and not for that of others,’ MK Issawi Frej told the crowd. Over 150 members of the LGBTQ community and their supporters took part in a joint…

By Haggai Matar July 27, 2018

A group of queer Jewish activists disrupts the Celebrate Israel parade in Manhattan, New York City, June 4, 2017. (Jewish Voice for Peace)

Queer Jews should think again before celebrating Israel

We were labeled homophobes and racists for disrupting a group of queer Jews at a pro-Israel parade this month. But as queer Jews ourselves, we could not stand aside while being used to distract from Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. By Stephanie Skora Just under two weeks ago, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Israel’s occupation, members of Jewish…

By +972 Magazine June 18, 2017

Israeli activists graffitied anti-occupation slogans across Tel Aviv in the run-up to the 2016 pride parade. (photo: Activestills.org)

Why I interrupted a pro-army LGBTQ event in Tel Aviv

Our community’s struggle is one for human and women’s rights. It is a struggle for liberation and justice. Those who support the oppression of another people are disparaging 100 years of struggle by women and LGBTQs. By Alma Biblash This past week saw the launch of a new project that calls to integrate women and LGBTQ Israeli…

By +972 Magazine February 25, 2017

Israeli activists graffitied anti-occupation slogans across Tel Aviv in the run-up to the 2016 pride parade. (photo: Activestills.org)

Ahead of Tel Aviv Pride, queer activists bring the occupation home

LGBTQ activists hang banners and graffiti anti-occupation slogans across Tel Aviv in the run-up to the city’s annual pride parade. 180,000 people are expected to take part in the festivities, at least half of them tourists. By Yael Marom In the run up to Friday’s Tel Aviv Pride festivities, Israeli LGBTQ activists hung banners and spray-painted…

By +972 Magazine June 3, 2016