Campaign Area

Say No to Pinkwashing

Overview

Pinkwashing is an Israeli government propaganda strategy that cynically exploits LGBTQIA+ rights to project a progressive image while concealing Israel’s occupation and apartheid policies oppressing Palestinians. 

For decades, Israel’s colonial and apartheid regime has robbed, oppressed, ethnically cleansed, impoverished, imprisoned and killed Palestinians, queer and non-queer alike.

As Israel’s far-right government allies itself with homophobic, intolerant and racist leaders around the world, including Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, and Christians United for Israel (CUFI) leader, pastor John Hagee, who combines anti-Semitism with Islamophobia, sexism, and homophobia, LGBTQIA+ communities are seeing through the pink smokescreen. There is growing awareness that queer and trans liberation cannot be separated from Palestinian liberation.

Anti-pinkwashing activists and groups have pushed Palestinian rights to the forefront of Pride events across the world. More than 100 LGBTQIA+ groups supported the call from Palestinian queers to boycott Eurovision 2019 in apartheid Tel Aviv. Dozens of queer filmmakers have withdrawn or opposed screenings of their films at TLVFest, the Israeli government-sponsored LGBT film festival in Tel Aviv.

BDS

Why?

Israel’s exploitation of LGBTQIA+ rights, known as pinkwashing, works to shift attention away from Israel’s regime of occupation and apartheid.

Israel’s pinkwashing agenda seeks to portray itself as a fun-loving gay haven while using racist stereotypes to depict Palestinians as backward.

Through lobby groups, often allied with right-wing homophobic organizations, Israel promotes its pinkwashing agenda around the world.

For more information, see the Pinkwatching Israel web site and anti-pinkwashing resources from the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights and Jewish Voice for Peace.

Impact

There is growing widespread consciousness of the collective struggles among oppressed communities across the world.

Milestones

200 Queer Filmmakers Pledge Not to Participate in Israeli Government Sponsored LGBT Film Festival

More than 200 LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and film artists from 15 countries have signed a groundbreaking pledge committing not to participate in TLVFest, the Israeli government-sponsored LGBT film festival in Tel Aviv.

Palestinian Rights Centered at Pride Events

More than 500 activists joined the Queers For Palestine bloc at the Radical Queer March in Berlin. Israel’s pinkwashing agenda was denounced at Pride marches from Europe to Latin America.

100+
Queer Groups Support Palestinian Call to Boycott Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv

100+ Queer Groups Support Palestinian Call to Boycott Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv

More than 100 LGBTQIA+ groups supported the call from Palestinian queers to boycott Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv. Queer groups canceled traditional Eurovision watch parties and organized alternative and apartheid free parties.

Dozens of Queer Filmmakers Oppose TLVFest

Dozens of queer filmmakers have withdrawn or opposed screenings of their films at TLVFest, the Israeli government-sponsored LGBT film festival in Tel Aviv.

Palestinian Rights Take the Stage at Creating Change

Queer and trans anti-pinkwashing groups have campaigned to bring Palestinian rights to the LGBTQ Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference, taking the stage and organizing guerrilla workshops.

Exposé Links Israeli Pinkwashing Group “A Wider Bridge” to Right-Wing Homophobic Groups

A 36-page report shows that Israeli pinkwashing group A Wider Bridge receives funding from organizations giving to right-wing, anti-gay, anti-Muslim, pro-settlement groups and politicians.

Take Action

Queer and trans groups are campaigning to counter Israel’s pinkwashing efforts in order to build a more inclusive movement for the liberation of all oppressed communities.

Spread the Word

Help build a more inclusive movement for the liberation of all oppressed communities by spreading the word on Israel's pinkwashing agenda.

Raise awareness on Israeli pinkwashing

Work together with local queer, trans and feminist groups to organize a workshop, public talk or film screening on Israel’s pinkwashing. Get in touch for possible speakers: pacbi@bdsmovement.net


Join the Boycott TLVFest campaign

The success of the campaign to convince queer and trans filmmakers not to participate in the Israeli government-sponsored LGBT film festival, is largely due to outreach by local partners and among fellow filmmakers. Contact us for more information: pacbi@bdsmovement.net






Monitor and counter pinkwashing events

Keep an eye out for pinkwashing events at film festivals, Pride events and campus talks in your area. Build a coalition of local groups to convince organizers not to host known pinkwashing organizations or Israeli government-sponsored events. If they fail to do so, organize a creative protest or an alternative event to raise awareness.




Respect and promote Palestinian guidelines for ethical tourism

Israel markets itself as a fun-loving destination for gay travel. Palestinian guidelines for ethical tourism call for a boycott of all LGBTQIA+ events organized by or in cooperation with the Israeli government or complicit Israeli institutions and to refrain from using any LGBTQIA+ services or utilities like beaches, bars, hotels or clubs, provided by operators and companies that are complicit in Israel’s human rights violations.




Sign up to receive queer, trans and anti-pinkwashing news

Contact us to receive periodic updates on anti-pinkwashing efforts around the world and news from Palestinian groups: pacbi@bdsmovement.net