Gays for Gaza: Who Is Worthy of Solidarity?

At a press conference held in July 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly addressed the slogan "Gays for Gaza." Referring to pro-Palestinian demonstrators, he remarked, "Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming 'Gays for Gaza.' They might as well hold up signs saying 'Chickens for KFC'" (Walker, 2024).

His statement is believed to refer to the case of Mahmoud Ishtiwi, a former Hamas member who was tortured and executed for alleged homosexual acts (Walker, 2024). 

However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain disputed. While both Human Rights Watch (2016) and the United Nations (2021) confirm that Ishtiwi was tortured and executed, they note that it remains unclear whether the allegations of homosexuality were the sole reason. The reports also indicate that he had criticized his commander's performance and was accused of treason.

Netanyahu’s remark is not unique; variations of the “Chickens for KFC” argument have been used by politicians, journalists, and organizations in support of Israel, often to highlight Israel’s comparatively friendly policies towards the LGBTQ+ community (AIPAC, 2026; Fuld, 2026). Israeli columnist Hillel Fund, who is outspoken about the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in Gaza, stated, “I welcome the LGBTQ+ community to go to Gaza. Let them bring their flags, let them go to Gaza, and let them fight for human rights there, and let’s see what happens.” He continued, “They’re going to get lynched and murdered.” (Collins, 2023).

Aside from the LGBTQ+ argument, another example of this would be the case of Vittorio Arrigoni, a peace activist who was abducted and killed by a Salafist group called Tawhid wal-Jihad (JTJ) on a humanitarian visit to Gaza in 2011 (BBC, 2011; Akram & Kershner, 2011). 

Woman holding a sign. Photo by Aiden Craver on Unsplash

In some pro-Israel media, Arrigoni’s death was framed as ironic and as an example of how being in support of Palestinians would not protect you from their violence (Alderman, 2011; Safian, 2011; R, 2025). However, it wasn’t mentioned that at the time of his death,  the Guardian (2011) reported that approximately 2000 Palestinians in Gaza attended a rally to honor his passing. 

This is what I refer to as Palestinian exceptionalism. Although Palestinians are not the only group whose oppression is contested and debated.

I have observed that Palestinians are often put on a moral litmus test and generalized based on the actions of groups or individuals who do not represent the entire population. Palestinian  society is often framed as uniquely conservative or violent, leading some to argue that supporting Palestinians is incompatible with progressive politics. 

This raises the question of whether solidarity should be based on ideological compatibility. In criticism that frames supporting Palestinians as contradictory to progressive politics, the critique is mainly levied at groups operating in the Gaza Strip, whether that is Hamas, which is the governing body, or more extreme organizations such as Tawhid wal-Jihad (Alderman, 2011; Safian, 2011; R, 2025; Collins, 2023).  Criticism of these groups is not irrational; however, it becomes a generalization when the actions and perceptions of militant groups are portrayed as a representation of society as a whole.

Homosexual acts remain illegal in Gaza and have been since the British Mandate Criminal Code Ordinance implemented in 1936 and queer people in Palestine continue to be subject to violence, oppression and lack of acceptance (Human Dignity Trust, 2026). In an interview with the magazine, Them, Dr. Sa’ed Atshan, a Palestinian-American anthropologist states that:

“Homophobia, transphobia, heteronormativity, patriarchy, sexism, gender, and sexuality-based violence; these are realities that we have to grapple with all around the world. It's very dangerous to pathologize Palestinian society as uniquely homophobic, or that homophobia is endemic to the society, without this broader context, as well as without understanding the ways that life under brutal military occupation exacerbates homophobia within Palestinian society as well. In order for us to deal with questions of how queer people are treated in Palestine, we have to address the broader landscape of the denial of freedom to Palestinians more generally speaking”. 

Dr. Atshan also points out that the argument that it is contradictory to support Palestine due to their societal attitudes on queerness risks erasing LGBTQ+ Palestinians as well as their advocacy and activism (Tamarkin, 2023). 

A similar pattern can be observed in discussions surrounding Palestinian political violence. This was seen in the case of Vittorio Arrigoni in 2011 and later in the October 7th attacks. Images and videos circulated on social media of civilians partaking in celebrations or surrounding Israeli hostages (State of Israel, 2024; Visegrad 2025). These incidents have been frequently cited as evidence for the argument that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza or that Palestinian society in its entirety supports the attacks (Fiennes et al., 2025). 

While October 7th and the civilian participation in it should be condemned, the rhetoric of generalization provokes the risk of dehumanizing an entire population, based on the actions of Hamas and a small portion of civilians. 

References

1. AIPAC. (2026, June 1). AIPAC 🇺🇸🇮🇱 on Instagram: "Did you know Israel's parliament and Supreme Court have secured the rights of the LGBTQ community by passing laws and regulations and deciding court cases that ensure equal protection and treatment in the Jewish state since 1963? #ThisIsIsrael 🇮🇱🏳️‍🌈" [Instagram reel]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/aipac/reel/DZDM69PlIZx/

2. Akram, F., & Kershner, I. (2011, April 15). Gaza killing of Italian activist deals a blow to Hamas. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/world/middleeast/16gaza.html

3. Alderman, G. (2011, May 13). This was no "peace activist." The Jewish Chronicle. https://www.thejc.com/opinion/this-was-no-peace-activist-qmgv2qxg

4. BBC News. (2011, April 14). Italian activist found dead in Gaza after abduction. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-13088630

5. Collins, G. (2023, October 20). Israeli columnist calls out LGBTQ+ activists who back Palestine: "I welcome [you] to go to Gaza." The National Desk. https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/israeli-columnist-calls-out-lgbtq-activists-who-back-palestine-i-welcome-you-to-go-to-gaza-hillel-fuld-west-bank-lgbt-gay-lesbian-rights

6. Fiennes, G., Ayad, M., & Guhl, J. (2025, July 23). "No innocents": The collective blame of Palestinians online. Institute for Strategic Dialogue. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/no-innocents-the-collective-blame-of-palestinians-online/

7. Fuld, H. (2026, May 21). Video [Facebook video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=743360535488846

8. Human Dignity Trust. (2024, December 17). Palestine. https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/palestine/

9. Human Rights Watch. (2016, February 15). Palestine: Torture, death of Hamas detainee. https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/02/15/palestine-torture-death-hamas-detainee

10. Israel [@Israel]. (2024, April 4). Being part of "Queers for Palestine" is much easier than being a queer in Palestine 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️... [Post]. X. https://x.com/Israel/status/1775716610696712234

11. R, N. (2025, September 29). Vittorio Arrigoni: Betrayed in Gaza. Medium. https://natashaarosenberg.medium.com/vittorio-arrigoni-betrayed-in-gaza-dc1f7839f4e7

12. Safian, A. (2011, April 16). New York Times sees "sad irony" in terrorists killing terrorist sympathizer. CAMERA. https://www.camera.org/article/new-york-times-sees-sad-irony-in-terrorists-killing-terrorist-sympathizer/

13. Israel on Instagram: “A newly released video from shortly after October 7 shows Palestinians in Gaza cheering and celebrating as 24-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker, who was kidnapped from Israel to Gaza, is taken through Khan Younis. Never forget how this war started. We will not rest until every last hostage comes home. 🎥 @n12news.” (2024, July 24). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/stateofisrael/reel/C9zck_8Oa5r/

14. Tamarkin, S. (2023, November 22). Why queer solidarity with Palestine is not "Chickens for KFC." Them. https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-solidarity-palestine-saed-atsha

15. Urquhart, C. (2011, April 15). Palestinians rally to mourn kidnapped Italian activist murdered by extremists. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/15/italian-peace-activist-murdered-gaza

16. Visegrád24. (2025, October 7). Civilians celebrate in Gaza City after hearing the news of the October 7th massacre taking place a few kilometers away [Instagram reel]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/visegrad.24/reel/DPhasQugP7C/

17. Walker, J. (2024, July 24). Netanyahu likens "Gays for Gaza" to "Chickens for KFC" in speech to Congress. The National Desk. https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/netanyahu-likens-gays-for-gaza-to-chickens-for-kfc-in-speech-to-congress-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-palestine-gaza-washington-dc-anti-israel-protesters

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