Protesters in Tel Aviv gathered outside the police headquarters to condemn the closure of an investigation into a homophobic attack on an apartment building in the Montefiore neighborhood. The attack occurred after a mass demonstration against the government’s planned judicial overhaul. Several far-right youths approached the building and were heard chanting anti-leftist and homophobic slogans while attempting to tear down a Pride flag and throwing stones at the apartment window.
Despite ample video evidence of the incident, the Israeli police closed the case just ten days after its launch, leading to outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Pro-LGBTQ+ demonstrators gathered outside the police headquarters, waving rainbow flags and chanting slogans against homophobia. The protest organizers claimed that there had been an increase in violence against the LGBTQ+ community since the case was reported by the media.
Shoval Hachmon, a resident of the targeted apartment, spoke out against the closure of the investigation, saying that “no one should have to live in fear in their country, in their streets, and especially in their homes.” Hila Peer, chairwoman of the AGUDA association for LGBTQ+ equality in Israel, accused the police of abandoning the personal safety of the queer community and adopting the spirit of their homophobic commander in the government.
Homosexuality is legal and partially protected in Israel, but it is still viewed as immoral by a significant portion of the population. According to a 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center, 45% of Israelis believe that society should not accept homosexuality. However, LGBTQ+ representation in the country is increasing, and with it, an understanding that the queer community deserves the same rights and protections as everyone else.
In December 2022, Amir Ohana was elected as Israel’s first openly gay speaker, and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis came out in defense of the LGBTQ+ community, stating that every human was created “in the image of God.” Despite this progress, incidents like the homophobic attack in Tel Aviv serve as a reminder that there is still much work to be done to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community is safe and protected in Israel.