Posted on 08/19/2019 10:57:32 AM PDT by SJackson
Middle East
The ban came after LGBTQ group Al-Qaws was planing to hold a gathering for its members in Nablus.
The Palestinian Authority banned members of the Palestinian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community from carrying out any activities in the West Bank.
The ban came after the grassroots group Al-Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society (Arabic for “the bow”), which engages and supports Palestinians who identify as LGBTQ, was planning to hold a gathering for its members in Nablus at the end of the month. The group operates both in the West Bank and among Arab-Israelis.
Earlier this month, Al-Qaws held an event in Nablus about sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society. The PA police, however, learned about the event only days after it was held.
Al-Qaws is a civil society organization established in 2001 with the goal of “fighting for vibrant Palestinian cultural and social change, building LGBTQ communities and promoting new ideas about the role of gender and sexual diversity in political activism, civil society institutions, media, and everyday life.”
The group has offices only in east Jerusalem and Haifa.
Explaining the decision to ban the LGBTQ group from operating in PA-controlled areas, Luay Zreikat, spokesperson for the PA Police, said that such activities are “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.”
Zreikat said that the group’s activities were completely “unrelated to religions and Palestinian traditions and customs, especially in the city of Nablus.”
He accused unnamed “dubious parties” of working to “create discord and harm civic peace in Palestinian society.”
The PA police will chase those behind the LGBTQ group and see to it that they are brought to trial once they are arrested, Zreikat warned. He further appealed to Palestinians to report to the police about any person connected to the group.
In response, Al-Qaws condemned the police threat as “incitement,” and vowed to continue its work despite the serious challenges.
“The Palestinian police announcement about our activities is very unfortunate,” the group said. “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.”
A member of Al-Qaws said that since the police announcement, he and his friends have received hundreds of threats and hate messages from Palestinians, especially through Facebook. “The attack on us is unprecedented,” he told The Jerusalem Post. “They are calling us traitors and corrupt people and many are calling for our execution. We are afraid for our lives.”
OK, then.
Come to our stoning party, BYOS (bring your own stones).
Public support in two latest polls show support of gays is dropping in the US
As gays become more open in public and when the public see how gays really are the less they like of them.
The DNC spoke in solidarity with the Palestinians against the... against the... oops. Never mind!
Boycott the PA.
Big Palestine supporting American leftists don’t like to hear that Palestinian gays seek refuge in Israel.
LOL! Let’s see the liberals heads explode trying to spin this one.
LOL, what a paradox.
They aren’t going to be happy about that.
So do they boycott the West Bank too now?
I doubt it. Arabs can do no wrong.
Only the Jews that live there.
nothing, the squab are silent on this- they may come out and issue a statement that anyone that criticizes them for supporting the PA is racist and islamaphobic-
Meanwhile the American Left hates Israel and loves the PA, abroad, while proclaiming allegiance to the LBGT agendas at home. Synonyms: Leftists, Hypocrites
ROFWL
Yep. The “in your face” stuff really doesn’t help their cause, but the Sodomites (in particular) don’t seem to be able to restrain their own. Eventually, we will be able to understand why our ancestors dealt with them the way they did.
Muzztards get something right for once.
I’m going to have to disagree with you here. Not only are Muslim “values” completely incompatible with Western civilization but I live in a place with a lot of skyscrapers. I’d hate to get crushed by falling gays as I walk by.
Yawn.
Islam can have it’s good points.
Crickets...
If the Palestinians and Gay Dudes start throwing rocks at each other it’s going to take 100 years before anyone lands a blow!
Wouldn’t want them protesting the inhumane living conditions that they live in...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.