Widower condemns SHABAK chief’s removal of memorial corner and LGBTQ steps

Shin Bet chief David Zini is facing backlash after ordering the removal of a memorial corner at the agency’s headquarters for those killed on October 7. The move came shortly after he canceled Pride events and shut down the agency’s gay caucus, a decision that had already drawn criticism and is now being seen as part of a wider pattern.

Omer Ohana, whose partner Shagi Golan was killed on October 8, said the decisions are a painful and concrete example of discrimination. In an interview on the program "Shi'chat HaYom," he asked, "I ask myself what will be the next thing? Where will we get to? What has to happen in the country for someone to wake up and see that homophobia hurts citizens?"

Ohana said he also felt deep disappointment at what he described as silence from people who should have been natural allies. He said he personally contacted Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a senior political figure and member of the LGBTQ community, and invited him to the "Shagi Laws for Equality" conference.

According to Omer Ohana, the invitation was meant not only as a request for support but as a chance to show pride in "having a symbol of state in Israel who is proud, who is gay." He said Amir Ohana never replied, adding, "He did not answer me. He did not even bother to respond." Omer Ohana concluded, "This is my country, it was Shagi’s country too. He went out to fight that day, why are we worth less?" He said LGBTQ people should not have to fight for rights they should receive by law.