Last week’s Pride Parade in Tel Aviv is perhaps the final confirmation that Israel really is as progressive a nation as they come, a great selling point to a world convinced that Israel is only about Gaza, settlements and terrorism. A world certainly in need of some sun, sand and good times.
Recently the Israeli Foreign Ministry has embarked on a definitely more liberal route of promoting tourism to Israel, what with its campaign (via Elal) to convince European gays to fly over to Tel Aviv for a cheap package holiday (they actually got a very good deal!) and the promotion of a US-based Israel advocacy group, StandWithUs, whose backers include conservative Americans like casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and who flew in a group of journalists and gay activists from the United States and Europe last week that climaxed (ahem!) in Tel Aviv’s Pride Parade.
The Foreign Ministry may have even gone too far recently, what with their success in offending many with their quite crass attempts at making Israel seem like a sexy place to visit. Handing out condoms in a goodie bag might just have pushed the envelope a tad wee too far, especially when your audience includes many religious Jews.
Last week’s Pride Parade also saw a new chapter in relations between the state itself and the gay community in Israel. Five couples, three sets of brides and two sets of grooms, got married in an offical ceremony (although not officially recognised by the state), with each couple – in perhaps a direct affront to the Jewish religious establishment – swearing allegiance to Tel Aviv, rather than the traditional option of Jerusalem.
If I forget thee, O Tel Aviv, let my right hand wither, let my tongue cleave to my palate if I do not remember you, if I do not set Tel Aviv above my highest joy.
This could only have happened in an open and free Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv’s tolerant attitude towards the gay community has thus ensured its acceptance is used as marketing material to pull the tourists in, whatever their sexual orientation. Not everybody is happy about it, but we’re a firm believer in respecting others, whatever their religious or sexual persuasion.
Welcome to Israel!