Report Details Government Actions Against LGBTQ+ Community

A new report by the Aguda, the Association for LGBTQ+ Rights in Israel, details a series of legislative attempts, budget cuts, and public statements by the outgoing government that have negatively impacted the LGBTQ+ community. The report, released ahead of the upcoming elections, highlights efforts to roll back rights and services, though public backlash and advocacy managed to block some initiatives.

Among the legislative proposals examined were attempts to amend anti-discrimination laws to allow business owners to refuse service based on religious beliefs, a move that was ultimately halted after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged not to harm LGBTQ+ rights. However, other proposals included defining gender registration based solely on biological criteria, potentially preventing transgender individuals from changing their legal gender marker, and restricting discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

The report also highlights significant budget reductions. The budget for the LGBTQ+ population advancement wing in the Ministry for Social Equality was slashed by approximately 37% for 2024, from 38 million shekels to 24 million shekels. Funding for local authorities' LGBTQ+ programs also saw a drastic cut, from 21 million shekels to 10 million shekels. Further uncertainty for 2025 is noted, with the ministry stating it had no budgetary source for certain projects.

Beyond legislation and budgets, the report documents inflammatory rhetoric from coalition members. MK Yitzhak Pindrus reportedly compared the LGBTQ+ community to ISIS, Hezbollah, and Hamas, calling it "the most dangerous thing for the State of Israel." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is quoted suggesting that his supporters do not care about gay people, implying that anti-LGBTQ+ actions would not harm him politically. Justice Minister Yariv Levin reportedly dismissed a proposal to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as "unnecessary and even harmful."

Despite the negative trends, the report acknowledges a few legislative advancements. These include recognizing same-sex partners in legislation concerning families of fallen soldiers and hostages, and adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in student rights law. However, significant proposals aimed at expanding LGBTQ+ rights, such as banning conversion therapy for minors, prohibiting housing discrimination, and establishing civil unions, were rejected by the Knesset.

Nimrod Gorenstein, CEO of the Aguda, stated that the community faced repeated attempts to reduce rights and services. He emphasized that while the public and advocacy groups managed to block some initiatives, the report documents the choices politicians made, and the public will have the final say in the upcoming elections.