In response to pressure from advocates of BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) against Israel, the Seattle LGBT Commission canceled a March 16 meeting with leaders of Israeli LGBT organizations.
The San Francisco–based Jewish LGBT group A Wider Bridge co-sponsored a two-week tour for the Israeli group, which included stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle/Tacoma. The visiting Israeli speakers included Iris Sass Kochavi of Tehila (the Israeli version of PFLAG: Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Avni Dafner of Israeli Gay Youth and Adir Steiner, Tel Aviv’s pride coordinator.
Arthur Slepian, executive director of A Wider Bridge, said, “Their voices have been silenced in Seattle by those who seek to demonize and delegitimize Israel, and who are willing to throw the Israeli LGBTQ community under the bus in the process. We were dismayed that the commission gave in to objections raised by a small number of activists.”
The leaders spoke at San Francisco’s Congregation Sha’ar Zahav on March 13 without incident.
A Wider Bridge is a national organization that works to create more opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Jews in the United States and around the world and –– along with friends and allies –– to engage and connect with Israel.