I am a queer Palestinian who has been working tirelessly over the last decade for sexual and gender diversity, as well as LGBTQI visibility in Palestinian society. And I am committed to fighting for justice for all people. So why am I calling for an international boycott of Gay Pride in Tel Aviv this June?

Gay Pride in Tel Aviv is heavily sponsored by the Israeli government and is cynically deployed to divert attention from the occupation of Palestinian lands and the daily violation of Palestinian rights.

What am I talking about? Well, the Israeli government has heavily invested in a “Brand Israel” propaganda campaign that uses cultural events and festivities to depict Israel’s “ prettier face ” as a liberal, gay-friendly place. It does so to cover-up and maintain Israel’s ongoing system of violence and racial discrimination, enshrined in dozens of laws against indigenous Palestinians, queers and non-queers alike. Read more via Newsweek