Israeli Homosexuals Hope to March Into Politics
Pastor Dale Morgan
Israeli Homosexuals Hope to March Into Politics*
by Hana Levi Julian
(IsraelNN.com) Israeli homosexuals, frustrated by their lack of clout in
the government, have decided to launch the “Magi” party, Hebrew for the
Israel Gays Party, in time to run for seats in the next Knesset election.
The plan came in response to the success of the hareidi-religious
community in blocking last year’s “Pride Parade” in Jerusalem, and a
proposed bill designed to bar events in the capital that could offend or
incite residents.
The ‘Gay Pride Bill’, proposed by MK Eliahu Gabbai (NRP/NU) would
authorize the city to “bar parades and processions on the grounds that
they disturb public order, offend the public’s sentiments or on
religious grounds.”
Tourism Minister Yitzchak Aharonovitch (Yisrael Beitenu) supported the
bill, as did two Kadima ministers, Yaakov Edery and Gideon Ezra. Justice
Minister Daniel Friedmann opposed the proposal.
The bill was proposed after a “Pink Jerusalem” campaign was launched by
the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and the Homosexuals and
Lesbians organization to attract tourists from that sector to Jerusalem.
Reportedly the Ministry of Tourism was also involved in producing the
campaign, which featured provocative photos of homosexual couples at
various tourist sites in the city.
Tourism Minister Yitzchak Aharonovitch, however, hastened to deny
responsibility for the campaign, saying it was designed by Avraham
Hirschson, who recently resigned as Finance Minister due to allegations
of embezzlement in a past position. Minister Aharonovitch said he did
not agree with Hirschson’s decision. According to Knesset Member Benny
Elon (NU/NRP), the Tourism Minister has told his office to discontinue
the campaign.
The issue of homosexual demonstrations, parades and other activities in
Judaism’s holiest city has become a focal point for mass protests by the
religious Jewish sector. Strong public opposition by Islamic clergy has
added additional fuel to the public’s furor over public displays of
homosexuality in Jerusalem.
The city of Tel Aviv, in contrast, has embraced homosexual tourism,
offering last year to host the “Pride Parade” when it became clear that
Jerusalem residents would not tolerate it.