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Queers Don't Buy Brand Israel
The state of Israel has been courting the international gay community, promoting itself as the only gay-friendly democracy in the Middle East. But queer activists in Palestine, as well as in the U.S. and Canada, say this "pinkwashing" won't wash. Natalie Koury-Towe of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (Toronto), Carla Schick of Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (SF Bay Area) and Ghadir of Aswat-Palestinian Gay Women (Palestine). Audio 25 mins.
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For more information:
http://kpfawomensmag.blogspot.com
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It would be lovely IF our causes lined up on the same sides. But the harsh reality is that they do not. In this case I am glad not a GLBT to be put on the spot in a situation like this, a conflict between my own group interests.
While clearly an exaggeration to call Israel "gay friendly" that's because no place really is except in relative terms. But in relative terms, no contest. I have a great deal iof sympathy for GLBT Palestinians torn between wanting to fight for Palestinian freedom and the recognition that victory in that fight would mean their own destruction.
Similar with "democracy". I'm afraid too many of us imagine that democracy means good, fair, wise, etc. etc. decisions but it does not. Democracy, when working properly, means just the decisions that "the people" want, not matter how awful those decisions' the decisions that these people do want, not what you think they should want. One could argue that the problem with Israeli democracy is "too much democracy" (the "kooks" get too large of a say; no constitution protecting minority rights from the will of the majority).
STOP --- this isn't really just about Israelis vs Palestinians. We need to face the reality that we can always be faced with this unfortunate situation where our allies in one fight would be our enemies in another fight. Pretending that this can't be so is self delusion. Instead we need to learn how to cope with the reality.
While clearly an exaggeration to call Israel "gay friendly" that's because no place really is except in relative terms. But in relative terms, no contest. I have a great deal iof sympathy for GLBT Palestinians torn between wanting to fight for Palestinian freedom and the recognition that victory in that fight would mean their own destruction.
Similar with "democracy". I'm afraid too many of us imagine that democracy means good, fair, wise, etc. etc. decisions but it does not. Democracy, when working properly, means just the decisions that "the people" want, not matter how awful those decisions' the decisions that these people do want, not what you think they should want. One could argue that the problem with Israeli democracy is "too much democracy" (the "kooks" get too large of a say; no constitution protecting minority rights from the will of the majority).
STOP --- this isn't really just about Israelis vs Palestinians. We need to face the reality that we can always be faced with this unfortunate situation where our allies in one fight would be our enemies in another fight. Pretending that this can't be so is self delusion. Instead we need to learn how to cope with the reality.
Boycott uncle Sham!!!!
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