Organisers of Toronto's annual Gay Pride parade have reversed a decision to ban use of the phrase "Israeli apartheid" in the event.
A bitter row involving back-and-forth allegations of censorship and antisemitism has raged ever since a local activist group, Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA), announced its intention to march in the July 4 parade.
Jewish groups, backed by several prominent politicians, convinced Pride that QuAIA was violating Toronto's anti-discrimination policies. Several weeks ago Pride organisers ruled the group could march, but not under its name.
Now, faced with a huge outcry, Pride officials have relented, ruling that QuAIA could take part under its banner but had to agree to abide by the city's Declaration of a Non-Discrimination Policy. The anti-Israel group hailed it as a victory against censorship, but Jewish groups said their resolve was strengthened.
