Pinkwashing: The Harmful Tactic Weaponized Against LGBTQ Palestinians
In November 2023, the state of Israel shared a widely-shared post on Instagram, showing an Israeli soldier holding a rainbow flag amidst the ruins of war in Gaza. The post was captioned "The first ever pride flag raised in Gaza 🏳️🌈." This post was condemned online for blatant "pinkwashing," a propaganda strategy that cynically exploits LGBTQIA+ rights to project a progressive image while concealing Israel’s occupation and apartheid policies oppressing Palestinians.
Pinkwashing is not a new phenomenon. In 2011, writer and activist Sarah Schulman wrote about its significance in a New York Times editorial, criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s framing of the Middle East as a region where women are stoned, gays are hanged, Christians are persecuted. Schulman condemned the Israeli government’s ongoing campaign that purports Israel as a haven for the queer community, while ignoring the existence of Palestinian gay-rights organizations and queer Palestinians.
Israel, which has played host to several Pride events, has been dubbed a "welcoming hub" by a tourism site. However, same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Israel, and homosexuality has been outlawed in Gaza since 1936. Despite this, conversations about the rights of Palestinian queer communities and the need for lasting social change have grown over decades.
Pinkwashing has been employed by Israel and its supporters to justify the war on Gaza and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Elias Jahshan, a journalist, writer, and editor, describes pinkwashing as "reductive and racist," erasing Palestinian stories and agency. He notes that pinkwashing is a hidden form of violence against queer Palestinians, employing orientalist tropes to portray Palestinians as uncivilized, backwards, and homophobic.
Pro-Palestine advocates and organizations have long denounced pinkwashing, not only for its rhetoric but also for its ability to distract from atrocities. This year, social media users, activists, and groups have amplified the issue, sharing examples of pinkwashing and condemning its weaponization. Slow Factory, a digital nonprofit organization, detailed examples of pinkwashing amid Pride Month and urged resistance against this tactic.
As the Palestinian death toll surpasses 37,000, the digital movement against pinkwashing is gaining momentum. People and organizations are pushing for advocacy and awareness, challenging the notion of liberating queer Palestinians and marginalized people with war. The narrative of pinkwashing should hold no legitimacy, especially during war.
