Jerusalem Open House

And Israel border policeman outside the Abu Khdeir home in Shuafat, East Jerusalem Sept. 7, 2014 (Photo: Tamar Fleishman)

Investigation of Abu Khdeir murder tainted by racism, police incompetence

Between shoddy work and a culture of racism toward Palestinians, it is no wonder that the police failed to prevent the brutal murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir. On Wednesday night, Israel’s Channel 10 broadcast a one-hour investigative report that delves deeply into the circumstances surrounding the murder of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir. Last July three Jewish Israelis,…

By Lisa Goldman November 13, 2014

Transgender person dressed as ultra-Orthodox man at Jerusalem Pride Parade, June 26, 2008 (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Fanning flames of hatred in Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av

As in years past, fundamentalists in Jerusalem are attempting to incite the ultra-Orthodox against the LGBT community. Judaism, however, is not an enemy of tolerance. By Elinor Sidi The Jerusalem LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community again encountered hateful signs plastered across the city this week, as seen in the below pashkevil (Yiddish bulletin…

By +972 Magazine July 16, 2013

Israelis hold a candle-light vigil outside the BarNoar LGBTQ youth center in Tel Aviv after the 2009 shooting, August 2, 2009 (Photo: Activestills.org)

Tel Aviv shooting still affecting LGBTQ community, four years on

After a shooting at the BarNoar youth center left two dead and 11 injured four years ago, the Jerusalem Open House and other LGBTQ community centers were forced to lock their previously open doors. Now that police have arrested suspects in the case, one community leader hopes the Open House’s doors can once again opened…

By +972 Magazine June 12, 2013

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Israeli walks with flag during Tel Aviv gay pride (photo: wanderlasss/Flickr cc)

Upcoming amendment will test Israeli gov’t regard for LGBT rights

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren recently boasted about Israel’s record on gay rights – however the LGBT community in Jerusalem has faced repeated intolerance and push back from the government. A proposal to be presented this Sunday to extend protection from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation will be the real test of…

By +972 Magazine May 18, 2012

Dead anti-democratic legislation resurrected – and nearly passed

A shelved bill that pits Jerusalem’s holy character against the rights of the LGBT community was recently put on the Knesset table again, posing a serious threat to Israeli democracy. By Elinor Sidi Israeli democracy has reached a crucial point in its existence. Although Prime Minister Netanyahu recently halted the promotion of anti-democratic legislation that…

By +972 Magazine April 3, 2012