Palestinian police vow crackdown on LGBT events

[Page]

I'm sure Liberal/Leftists students in the west will find some way to justify still being pro-Palestine.

One can simultaneously oppose violent extremism from the Palestinian government while also opposing Israel burning Palestinians with white phosphorus.

[The Huskar Social Union]

I'm sure Liberal/Leftists students in the west will find some way to justify still being pro-Palestine.

You can support the existence of a country whilst also being critical of some of their actions or attitudes towards people in their country. I am more than happy for Palestine to exist as an independent nation, but i am also more than happy to criticise religious fundamentalist bullshit done by Palestinians.

The same way i can support the existence of Israel as a nation but call out their heavy handed bullshit and all the crimes they have under their belt.

[Luvria]

I'm sure Liberal/Leftists students in the west will find some way to justify still being pro-Palestine.

Opposition to ethnic cleansing is the big way to justify it.

Basically.

Makes it hard to fully support Palestine when most of them are like this though.

[Luvria]

I'm sure Liberal/Leftists students in the west will find some way to justify still being pro-Palestine.

Because their concern for gay people extends only as far as they can use gay people as a political weapon.

Yeah who's ever heard of a gay leftist anyway

[New Bremerton]

Source.

Palestinian police have threatened to arrest anyone involved in an upcoming gathering planned by LGBTQ activists in the northern West Bank town of Nablus.

Palestinian police have banned events organized by the LGBTQ rights organization alQaws because they go against “traditional Palestinian values,” the rights group said in a statement Sunday.

The organization condemned the ban and recent attacks on LGBTQ Palestinians, including the reported stabbing of a 16-year-old outside an LGBTQ youth shelter in Tel Aviv.

“AlQaws condemns the use of prosecution, intimidation and threats of arrest, be it by the police or members of society,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We have always been public and accessible about our work, through maintaining an active website, social media presence and engagement in civil society. However, we have never received threats to this extent before.”

AlQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society emerged as a project in 2001 and formalized in 2007, according to its website. As part of the group’s work, it regularly holds events throughout Palestinian territories and offers support for LGBTQ people through hotlines and partnerships with other civil rights groups.

The statement from the Palestinian police announcing the ban came after alQaws held an event in Nablus, a city in the northern West Bank, in early August. The organization had plans to hold another event there at the end of the month.

Police said Sunday they would "pursue this gathering" and seek charges against anyone involved in it, according to The Associated Press. The Palestinian police are under the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Word of the gathering had sparked fierce debate on social media, with some Palestinians defending the activists and others condemning them for violating religious and traditional norms.

“We have never received threats to this extent before,” alQaws said in its Facebook statement. However, it acknowledged that the “crackdown against the fight for sexual and gender liberation is not new.”

“Throughout modern history, it has served as a powerful card for oppressive regimes and governments,” the group stated. “Sadly, the PA statement and subsequent public responses are well-honed tactics in the game of political gain and smoke-screening, not limited to the Palestinian Authority or to this particular event.”

Despite the crackdown, however, the alQaws said it will continue to work to combat the “social violence against LGBT Palestinians.”

Neither alQaws nor the Palestinian police immediately responded to NBC News’ request for comment.

Sa’ed Atshan, an assistant professor of peace and conflict studies at Swarthmore College and author of “Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique,” said the Palestinian police's statement about alQaws is an attempt to “score morality points.”

By focusing on LGBTQ people, Atshan told NBC News, the Palestinian Authority can distract everyday Palestinians away from "its impotence in the face of the occupation."

Being openly LGBTQ in Palestine, though, isn’t easy regardless, according to Atshan. He said unless you’re from a wealthy or secular family or live in a city, it can be difficult being out.

“While increasing numbers of LGB Palestinians are identifying as such, and slowly trans folks in Palestine are coming out, it is still tremendously difficult to live one’s life authentically, particularly as a trans person,” he explained.

Atshan also noted there seems to be an increase in anti-LGBTQ public expressions in Palestinian territories.

“This is a serious problem in our society,” he said, “and we have not grappled with the long-entrenched and ingrained homophobia in our society in a serious or robust, large-scale manner yet.”

And authorities seem to be leading the charge.

“The Palestinian Authority's police have also been inciting surveillance and violence against LGBTQ Palestinians from their own families, neighbors and co-workers, with a spike now in social media posts calling for assaults against queer people in the West Bank,” Atshan explained.

Homosexuality is taboo in Arab countries, many of which criminalize it. Approximately 70 countries around the world — most in Africa and the Mideast — criminalize homosexuality.

In rather typical Islamic fundamentalist fashion Palestinian police in the West Bank have banned a planned event by LGBT organizers and threatened to arrest anyone involved. Obviously, I believe this is a grotesque abuse of power and demonstrates the continued persecution that these people face in Palestine.

Thoughts?

Israel should grant asylum to LGBT Palestinians and apply real pressure on the PA to stop persecuting LGBT people, such as withholding/blocking funds from the EU and elsewhere. As for Hamas in Gaza, which is even more violently anti-LGBT and Islamist, continue to starve them of supplies and construction materials and maintain a blockade until they implode and are deposed from within.

[New Hennig]

I'm sure Liberal/Leftists students in the west will find some way to justify still being pro-Palestine.

One can simultaneously oppose violent extremism from the Palestinian government while also opposing Israel burning Palestinians with white phosphorus.

I am. Bibi is talking about annexing the West Bank. It seems that both Hamas and Bibi want wipe each other off the map. The two state solution is becoming a pipe dream. To quote the fat orange turd, “SAD!”

[Vassenor]

I'm sure Liberal/Leftists students in the west will find some way to justify still being pro-Palestine.

Because their concern for gay people extends only as far as they can use gay people as a political weapon.

Oh the irony of this post.

[Farnhamia]

One can simultaneously oppose violent extremism from the Palestinian government while also opposing Israel burning Palestinians with white phosphorus.

I am. Bibi is talking about annexing the West Bank. It seems that both Hamas and Bibi want wipe each other off the map. The two state solution is becoming a pipe dream. To quote the fat orange turd, “SAD!”

*** Warned for trolling. ***

Have you read the Rules? They're fascinating and will make your life here much more enjoyable. Martin Scorcese wanted to make a movie of them but De Niro and Joe Pesci were unavailable so the deal fell through.

[New Hennig]

I am. Bibi is talking about annexing the West Bank. It seems that both Hamas and Bibi want wipe each other off the map. The two state solution is becoming a pipe dream. To quote the fat orange turd, “SAD!”

*** Warned for trolling. ***

Have you read the Rules? They're fascinating and will make your life here much more enjoyable. Martin Scorcese wanted to make a movie of them but De Niro and Joe Pesci were unavailable so the deal fell through.

Well, if that is considered trolling on this site, then I guess NS is not for me.

You can go ahead and ban me now. Cheers!

[United Muscovite Nations]

*** Warned for trolling. ***

Have you read the Rules? They're fascinating and will make your life here much more enjoyable. Martin Scorcese wanted to make a movie of them but De Niro and Joe Pesci were unavailable so the deal fell through.

Well, if that is considered trolling on this site, then I guess NS is not for me.

You can go ahead and ban me now. Cheers!

Political Nicknaming isn't allowed because it's an opinion that people can't argue against.

[Auristania]

Well, if that is considered trolling on this site, then I guess NS is not for me.

You can go ahead and ban me now. Cheers!

Political Nicknaming isn't allowed because it's an opinion that people can't argue against.

Why do people need to argue against regular insults?

A says Trump is a warmonger.
B says he ain't and cites evidence, there is an argument.

C says Trump is a Russian spy.
D says he ain't and cites evidence, there is an argument.

E says Trump is a Poo poo Head = E hates Trump
F denies that statement HOW???

If E is lying then E really does love Trump.

There is a rule forbidding insulting Mohammed. Now there is a new rule forbidding insulting Trump. THEREFORE Trump = Mohamed

[Farnhamia]

Political Nicknaming isn't allowed because it's an opinion that people can't argue against.

Why do people need to argue against regular insults?

A says Trump is a warmonger.
B says he ain't and cites evidence, there is an argument.

C says Trump is a Russian spy.
D says he ain't and cites evidence, there is an argument.

E says Trump is a Poo poo Head = E hates Trump
F denies that statement HOW???

If E is lying then E really does love Trump.

There is a rule forbidding insulting Mohammed. Now there is a new rule forbidding insulting Trump. THEREFORE Trump = Mohamed

There is no new rule forbidding the insulting of Trump. There is a rule about insulting a political figure or modifying that person's name in such a way as to anger their followers. That's trolling/political nicknaming.

[Aureumterra]

This is why the two-state solution would be a problem, Palestine is going to become another militant Islamic country, however, Israel annexing Palestine would be equally as bad as it ruins the Zionist mission AND makes the Arabs live in an openly Jewish state. There is no good solution to Israel and Palestine

[Novus America]

This is why the two-state solution would be a problem, Palestine is going to become another militant Islamic country, however, Israel annexing Palestine would be equally as bad as it ruins the Zionist mission AND makes the Arabs live in an openly Jewish state. There is no good solution to Israel and Palestine

Yup. The situation is beyond redemption TBH.

[Rojava Free State]

This is why the two-state solution would be a problem, Palestine is going to become another militant Islamic country, however, Israel annexing Palestine would be equally as bad as it ruins the Zionist mission AND makes the Arabs live in an openly Jewish state. There is no good solution to Israel and Palestine

Cause every country that's a majority Muslim is doomed to be like Iran or Saudi Arabia

Syria (assad controlled Syria anyways) and Lebanon are pretty normal countries. Can't see why Palestine which is right next door would turn out any different unless hamas kills the PA and takes over

[Aureumterra]

This is why the two-state solution would be a problem, Palestine is going to become another militant Islamic country, however, Israel annexing Palestine would be equally as bad as it ruins the Zionist mission AND makes the Arabs live in an openly Jewish state. There is no good solution to Israel and Palestine

Cause every country that's a majority Muslim is doomed to be like Iran or Saudi Arabia

Syria (assad controlled Syria anyways) and Lebanon are pretty normal countries. Can't see why Palestine which is right next door would turn out any different unless hamas kills the PA and takes over

There’s a civil war in Syria and Hezbollah violence in Lebanon for a reason, it seems the citizens of the region can’t stand a secular government

Hamas taking over Palestine would happen within the first few months of Palestinian statehood

[Rojava Free State]

Cause every country that's a majority Muslim is doomed to be like Iran or Saudi Arabia

Syria (assad controlled Syria anyways) and Lebanon are pretty normal countries. Can't see why Palestine which is right next door would turn out any different unless hamas kills the PA and takes over

There’s a civil war in Syria and Hezbollah violence in Lebanon for a reason, it seems the citizens of the region can’t stand a secular government

Hamas taking over Palestine would happen within the first few months of Palestinian statehood

Guess who's winning the civil war in Syria? Not the Islamist faction

As for lebanon, pointing to Hezbollah as proof that the Lebanese want a sharia state is like pointing at the three percent militias in america and saying everyone here is a right wing gun nut. Lebanon is literally the Las Vegas of the middle east. Most people there are not trying to live in a Saudi style hellscape. Take it for someone who actually has been over there, people in the area are not all actively working to destroy secularism

[Czechoslovakia and Zakarpatia]

True, the West Bank government treats LGBT like inferior second class citizens.
Hamas jails, tortures and even executes them. As bad as the PA is Hamas is worse.

The Palestinian authority is stuck in the 1950s

Hamas is stuck in the 1050s

^^^^^^
So much this. And people are surprised why I dislike organized religion in general. All they do is impede civil and sometimes political rights for the sake of "nature" and "tradition".

[Rojava Free State]

The Palestinian authority is stuck in the 1950s

Hamas is stuck in the 1050s

^^^^^^
So much this. And people are surprised why I dislike organized religion in general. All they do is impede civil and sometimes political rights for the sake of "nature" and "tradition".

Tradition in general is trash. Just because you've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean it's right

Seriously homophobes need there to be a god in order for homosexuality to be wrong. Without some spiritual entity declaring its hatred toward gays there's no logical reason to hate them. Actually there already is no logical reason cause hating people cause a book told you to is pretty damn irrational.

[Aureumterra]

^^^^^^
So much this. And people are surprised why I dislike organized religion in general. All they do is impede civil and sometimes political rights for the sake of "nature" and "tradition".

Tradition in general is trash. Just because you've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean it's right

Seriously homophobes need there to be a god in order for homosexuality to be wrong. Without some spiritual entity declaring its hatred toward gays there's no logical reason to hate them. Actually there already is no logical reason cause hating people cause a book told you to is pretty damn irrational.

The quote from the Bible that homophobes always cite is also a really stretch-y interpretation, it could easily just be interpreted “God wants men and women to reproduce” which is the only relationship that can do that. The Bible never explicitly says that homosexuality is bad

[Djuph]

If the Palestinian police are vowing to crack down on LGBT pride parades, it means they have reason to believe these things will happen.

In other words, there is a fabulous giant about to wake from its slumber, in Palestina. Good.

[Aureumterra]

If the Palestinian police are vowing to crack down on LGBT pride parades, it means they have reason to believe these things will happen.

In other words, there is a fabulous giant about to wake from its slumber, in Palestina. Good.

In Palestine?

I highly doubt a pride parade will happen in any country of that region save Israel and Jordan anytime soon

[Bear Stearns]

If the Palestinian police are vowing to crack down on LGBT pride parades, it means they have reason to believe these things will happen.

In other words, there is a fabulous giant about to wake from its slumber, in Palestina. Good.

No, but likely the work of weirdo expats.

[Kwashiorkistan]

If the Palestinian police are vowing to crack down on LGBT pride parades, it means they have reason to believe these things will happen.

In other words, there is a fabulous giant about to wake from its slumber, in Palestina. Good.

In Palestine?

I highly doubt a pride parade will happen in any country of that region save Israel and Jordan anytime soon

Lebanon gets them sometimes.

[Djuph]

Precisely: it is happening all over the region. Why would Palestine be the exception?