Meretz USA salutes the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Israel on the occasion of its Gay Pride and Tolerance Parade, scheduled for this Friday, November 10, in Jerusalem. Israel’s LGBT community has displayed both courage and wisdom in its efforts to hold this march: It has persisted in the face of vicious threats and acts of violence directed against it, while prudently agreeing to compromise on the parade route in order to minimize friction with ultra-Orthodox Israelis intent on harming parade participants.

Supporting full civil and human rights for Israeli citizens, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation, Meretz USA recognizes that the principle of equality is indivisible, and that the LGBT struggle is the struggle of all Israelis who believe in equal rights.