Overview
What it’s about
A rising movement within the LGBTQ+ community, ‘Queers for Palestine,’ is ostracizing LGBTQ+ Jews who support Israel, pushing them to feel marginalized or ‘back in the closet.’
Why it matters
This alienation stands in stark contrast to the foundational LGBTQ+ values of inclusivity, love, tolerance, and acceptance, highlighting a divisive trend within the community that disproportionately affects Jewish LGBTQ+ members.
The Details
The issue
Ben M. Freeman spoke at a Limmud Australia event, where he criticized ‘Queers for Palestine’ for embracing a binary worldview of oppressed vs. oppressor and prioritizing anti-Zionism over genuine advocacy for Palestinian LGBTQ+ rights. This perspective has marginalized pro-Israel LGBTQ+ Jews.
The protest
Freeman’s statements led to a protest by a group of LGBTQ+ Jews who walked out of his session. Simultaneously, LGBTQ+ Jews are feeling increasing exclusion from the wider community due to what Freeman describes as ‘queer antisemitism’ post-October 7.
What People Are Saying
Personal stories
Several LGBTQ+ Jews have shared their experiences of feeling unsafe and ostracized in queer spaces. Michael, for example, details incidents of being singled out for his Jewish identity at various venues, while Dan describes being forced out of an establishment over a discussion about antisemitism.
Exclusion in LGBTQ+ spaces
Individuals like Ariel recount the hostility and exclusion they felt in what were once safe spaces for LGBTQ+ community members. These accounts collectively illustrate a larger cultural shift that pits supporting Palestinian causes against Jewish inclusion.
The Broader Impact
Marginalization within minorities
LGBTQ+ Jews, being a minority within a minority, face unique challenges. They report online harassment and exclusion in dating apps, among other platforms. This mirrored the broader societal trend of alienating Jewish voices in discussions about Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Community values conflict
The experiences recounted by Freeman, Michael, Dan, and Ariel highlight a significant inconsistency: while the LGBTQ+ community champions inclusivity, its faction that passionately opposes Israel is inadvertently (or deliberately) marginalizing Jewish LGBTQ+ individuals.
Moving Forward
Opposing hatred
Freeman and his peers stress the importance of not succumbing to anger or staying silent. Embracing their identities as both Jewish and LGBTQ+, they advocate standing up against the exclusion and continuing to advocate for their dual identities proudly.
In summary
LGBTQ+ Jews are making a stand against the racism they face within their own community. They seek to rekindle the spirit of inclusivity and mutual support that ought to be the cornerstone of LGBTQ+ values, ensuring they aren’t forced to forego one identity for another.
Author’s note
The writer Ben M. Freeman is the founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, educator, and author. His new book delves into reclaiming Jewish identity amidst rising challenges.
This story was first published on jpost.com.