Israel continues to paint itself as a pro-LGBTQ haven in the Middle East, using this alleged tolerance as justification for its genocide in Gaza. Queer activists around the world are pushing back.

Israel continues to paint itself as a pro-LGBTQ haven in the Middle East, using this alleged tolerance as justification for its genocide in Gaza. Queer activists around the world are pushing back.

  • flora_explora@beehaw.org
    0·
    11 months ago

    Ouch, this is such a complex topic and the article still paints Israel as the only culprit (scapegoat?)! Sure, it is disgusting when a soldier portrays their killing of people as fighting for queer liberation. And it’s out of the question that the ultra-nationalist Israeli government is performing many atrocities in Gaza.

    However, the article frames Israel as a colonizer and what’s happening as genocide. I cannot agree with that view, this is plain demonization of the Israeli state. There is no mentioning of why there is a war in Gaza or how the hamas and many other actors want to kill all jews and forcefully abolish the Jewish state. (Or of the atrocities of various Arab countries targeting Palestinians.) To frame this whole conflict as Israel as the colonizing aggressor and Palestinians as victims is one-dimensional and easily allows for antisemitic views to be framed as reasonable concerns.

    The article also doesn’t fail to mention the BDS movement, a movement with a long history of antisemitism. And all in all, the article itself seems to follow antisemitic views.

    I’m happy for all the queer people in Israel that can live happier lives because of more progressive politics. If the Israel government is framing itself as being more civilized and queer-friendly, against the uncivilized savages of Gaza, then this is plain racism and should be criticized as such. Progressive politics benefiting queer people, however, are positive in my view.

    • roastedDeflator@kbin.socialOP
      1·
      11 months ago

      The Palestine-Israel issue is not more complex than the apartheid in South Africa, and the later was addressed and solved, one way or another.

      Zionism is a settler colonial movement and Israel is a settler colonial power. In the most mainstream news outlet in Israel, take a look at the topic related to Israeli settler violence (see link bellow). Trying to deny the settler colonial basis of Israel, not only puts you in the wrong side of history but leads you to supporting Genocide, as you obviously do. Even if I take the good faith scenario, meaning you are not doing it consciously, you still do.

      The posted article doesn’t speak about how this war started. It’s content is more related to its title. For info on how this war started, please see something like the History of Zionism. Btw have you noticed how anti-zionism is portrayed as antisemitism the last 75years? Or should I mention that zionism has been condemned as antisemitic by jewish people and Rabbis, for over a century now? I recently heard that Jewish Voice for Peace was considered antisemitic in some countries? Yes, you guessed it right they are anti-zionist,s and they want a ceasefire now, amongst other things like that.

      Some relevant links:
      Historical Timeline on the question of Palestine - United Nations
      Jewish Voice for Peace
      Times of Israel - Topic - Settler Violence