Queers to Israel: Stop Pinkwashing Apartheid and Occupation!

We are appalled by the recent fraudulent video by Israeli actor Omer Gershon who claimed to have been turned away from a flotilla attempting to break the siege of Gaza. This video, which was widely promoted by people associated with the Israeli government is completely false, and attempts to portray the Palestine solidarity movement as anti-queer. While we are well aware that there are individual members of nearly every culture, subculture or movement that are anti-queer, we are also aware that many many queers participate in the Palestine solidarity movement, and organizations in the movement have supported queers, including the rights of Palestinian queers. LGBTQ people have been among the flotilla organizers and participants, including the flotilla that was brutally attacked by the Israeli military one year ago.

This video is a clumsy attempt to "pinkwash" Israel's crimes by portraying Palestinians, and their supporters, as anti-queer. What it does is deny the brave acts of many queer activists who have participated in flotillas, international solidarity campaigns, and organizing as Palestinian queers within the 1967 borders and other areas occupied by the Israeli military. These activists have been met with Israel's brutality, prisons, injury, and even death.

We are LGBTQ Palestine solidarity activists. We have worked hard to make our voices heard, and we will not be silenced. We will not allow our movement to be used to distract from Israel's war crimes. We stand with the freedom-loving people Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla.

Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT!) - SF Bay Area (www.quitpalestine.org)
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (New York City)

Also see this video response from QUIT!