The Israeli government is now giving special work visas to LGBTQ+ Palestinians facing discrimination or intimidation for who they are.

Previously, Palestinians with claims of intimidation were granted permits that allowed them to live in Israel for “welfare needs”, but that has now been expanded to allow the possibility of working.

Subject to security checks, Palestinians can now be issued work visas in Israel for up to six months, and can be extended beyond that depending on need, allowing them to earn an income and live a stable life.

In Gaza, male same-sex activity is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and in the West Bank, a gay rights and feminist organisation was banned in 2019, and residents were asked to report "suspicious" activities to the authorities.

Hilton Beach Tel Aviv

Hilton Beach in Tel Aviv, known as the unofficial gay beach, on April 30, 2022 (Photo by Ben Bloch / the JC)

In Israel, however, same-sex marriages are recognised, and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation was banned in 1992. Tel Aviv is famous for its annual Pride parade, attended this year by 170,000 people, and was given the nickname "the gay capital of the Middle East" by Out magazine.

The Knesset’s Committee for Foreign Workers discussed the move on Monday, and it was welcomed by the committee chairwoman, Labor MK Ibtisam Mara'ana.

A number of LGBTQ+ Palestinians gave testimony to the committee on Monday, sharing their experiences of fleeing the Palestinian territories due to being persecuted or intimidated. They are referred to only by a letter to protect their identities.

Labor MK Ibtisam Mara’ana

Labor MK Ibtisam Mara’ana during a Knesset committee hearing on June 20, 2022 (Photo by Knesset Spokesperson/Dani Shemtov)

S., a Palestinian who had fled the territories, told the committee: "I was photographed at the time of the act and it was passed on to my family, who beat me and treated me violently. I was hospitalised for three months as a result.

“I got depressed and started drinking. I'm unable to hold jobs because I don't have a proper paycheck or working conditions.”

P., another Palestinian who had been forced to flee his home, said: “My family tried to kill me. When I arrived in Tel Aviv, I lived on the street for a few days until I reached the ‘pink roof’ [a partially government-funded Tel Aviv shelter for LGBTQ high-risk youth].

“I want to live a normal life, but it is impossible without health insurance, no bank account and no official certificate. To renew the permit, I have to get as far as Ephraim Gate. Why do I have to go so far?"

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Tel Aviv Pride march (Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

The director of the welfare unit in the Civil Administration, the Ministry of Defence, Ofir Shama said: “To allow a person to work a proper job and take responsibility for his income is a significant thing. Subject to approval by security officials, permits can be issued for up to six months, and if necessary, it is extended."

She added: “We want them to reach a state of independence in managing their lives. The visa itself puts them in a better place than where they were before.“

Although the Knesset committee welcomed the move, it called on the Welfare and Finance Ministries to create a vocational training program and to simplify the process: "This is an important event for a small group and it is necessary to establish an inter-ministerial committee that will formulate a welfare package and constitute one clear address for them to go to.”