Between Iran and Europe- 20 years of the Gay revolution in Israel

         

 

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Shabbat morning 14 November 2009
Southgate and District reform Synagogue
120 Oakleigh Road North
London N20 0EZ
9:15-10:30

For further details please contact Amit on 02077242266 or amit@uknif.org

Israel is one of the countries with the most advanced recognition of the rights of gays and lesbians by the state. But has the struggle for full rights and social acceptance been successful?

Join the New Israel Fund and SDRS Israel Committee for a Shabbat morning breakfast in which Saar Nathaniel will give us an update on the achievements of the gay community in Israel, as part of the wider context for the struggle for human rights and for strengthening Israeli democracy.

Nathaniel will also explore the future challenges that the community faces, mainly after the murderous attack in Tel Aviv only a few months ago.

Saar Nathaniel is a politician and social activist. From 2003-2008 he served as a council member of the Jerusalem Municipality representing the social democratic party of Meretz. He made history as he was the first member of the council who is openly gay.

He started his political activism when he was 16 when he demonstrated against religious coercion in Jerusalem. He was active in the student union and co-established the ‘The other ten percent’ LGBT student union in the Hebrew University.

Nathaniel was famous for being a strong opposition to the management of Jerusalem’s municipality, which was controlled by the Ultra-Orthodox. He continuously fought against religious coercion in Jerusalem and promoted the issues of pluralism, environment, education, welfare, the rule of law and good governance.

One of his most important struggles was to allow the Gay Pride Parade to take place in the city. Together with the Jerusalem Open House he went to the court , which ruled the Jerusalem municipality must allow the parade to take place in the city.

Nathaniel is also a business man who opened the Jerusalem gay bar ‘Shushan’, which closed in 2007.
 

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