LGBTQ-PHOBIA STATUS REPORT IN ISRAEL - 2023

2022 LGBTQ-PHOBIA STATUS REPORT IN ISRAEL

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Summary: This year, amidst one of the most challenging emergencies the State of Israel has faced, with hostages still in Gaza and around 1,500 families mourning their loved ones, the LGBTQ-phobia ruEuvr qRnfqu YEr MRRd PZ{ZPRP Zduf u|f nEqurŬ 1YR ’qru nEqu EPPqRrrRr 1-żnYfMZN ZdNZPRdur in 2023 before the war, while the second part examines the situation of LGBTQ+ individuals during the initial three months of the conflict. 1YR qRnfqu qR{REbr E uqfvMbZdX uqRdPŦ ĠĞĠġ rE| E rZXdZ’NEdu ĠĦƝ ZdNqRErR Zd qRnfqur fW 1-ż phobia to the Reporting Center. The street protests, divisive discourse, and inflammatory ruEuRcRdur M~ dRrrRu cRcMRqr EdP nvMbZN ’XvqRr bRP uf E rvqXR Zd {ZfbRdu ZdNZPRdur EXEZdru the LGBTQ+ community. This period has emboldened extremists to act on their prejudices, resulting in a sharp rise in violent incidents, including flag tearing, physical assaults, and verbal abuse, which became a daily occurrence closely tied to the judicial reform process. LGBTQ+ individuals increasingly felt unsafe in both public and private spaces. During the war, a concerning pattern emerged from the intersection of data from the Israeli Institute for Gender and LGBTQ Studies survey and reports received by the Aguda's Reporting RduRqŬ RrnZuR Ed ZdNqRErR Zd 1- nYfMZEŧ uYRqR |Er E rZXdZ’NEdu PRNqRErR Zd qRnfquZdXŬ This discrepancy is likely due to social illegitimacy and personal guilt in addressing LGBTQ+ identity amidst a national emergency where the entire society is suffering. The events of October 7 thrust us into a new and challenging reality but also momentarily reduced divisive discourse, replacing it with mutual aid and unity. However, current political processes, combined with the ongoing war and its effects on the community, highlight the gaps between rights and duties among the community and suggest that our struggle in the coming year will be even more formidable. The rise of extreme elements within the government and the war's impact on the community underscores the need to vigilantly protect the hard-won rights and strive for those not yet attained. The past year has unequivocally proven that the LGBTQ+ community is an integral and rZXdZ’NEdu nEqu fW rqERbZ rfNZRu~Ŭ RrnZuR uYR NYEbbRdXRrŧ fvq NfccZucRdu uf ENYZR{ZdX Wvbb social, employment, and civil equality remains steadfast. We will not cease our efforts until these goals are realized.

To report an LGBTQ-phobic incident: Online report form on the Aguda's homepage: www.lgbt.org.il

"There is someone to talk to" – The Aguda's helpline for information and support operates: Sunday-Thursday and Saturday evenings from 19:30-22:30 at: 2982* or WhatsApp: 058-6205591 LGBTQ+ community services network : counseling and therapy services, legal assistance, and asylum seeker support. You can contact the Aguda through the website: www.lgbt.org.il or by email: aguda@lgbt.org.il