August 10, 2015
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has strongly criticised a Fairfax article by columnist Ruby Hamad which accuses Israel of exploiting its record on gay rights in order to downplay its oppression of the Palestinians and its terrorism, systemic racism and homophobia.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“This shameful article, in which distortion trumps reality, is a gross and deliberate twisting of the facts and part of the fashionable and relentless assault on Israel, which is, without a doubt, one of the most gay friendly countries in the world. By any measure, Israel can be justifiably proud of its record on civil, racial and sexual rights, and that democracy, a free press and equality for all people is the cornerstone of its rule. Openly gay soldiers serve in the IDF and in senior government and private sector positions, and same sex relationships and same sex adoptions are allowed. The LGBTI community has played a pivotal part in the shaping of Israel’s diverse and pluralistic society and it’s no surprise that Tel Aviv has been named the world’s number one gay city. While homosexuality may have been decriminalised in the West Bank, The PA issues the death penalty for homosexuals who are often brutally beaten and tortured by its security forces. It’s no wonder that Palestinian gay men have sought refuge in Israel. Ask yourselves, when was the last time you saw a Gay Pride Parade in the West Bank or Gaza? The treatment of gays, women and ethnic minorities in Israel is thousand times better than in any country in the Middle-East or by the Palestinian Authority. Further, Israel has had a female Prime Minister, a woman Chief Justice, a female university president, a female speaker of the Knesset and numerous business-women who are captains of industry. But this doesn’t matter to Israel’s irrational critics who conspiratorially see every good thing that Israel does as nothing more than a cover for its supposedly malevolent actions.” Yes, Israel is imperfect. But when extremism, intolerance and terrorism rear their ugly heads, they are always universally condemned by Israel’s political leaders and the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
For more information, please contact Dr. Dvir Abramovich on, 9272-5677