Major LGBTQ+ federation suspends Israeli group, drops bid for Tel Aviv event

A global LGBTQ+ advocacy group has suspended an Israeli member organisation and dropped its bid to hold an upcoming conference in Tel Aviv, following strong calls from Palestinian LGBTQ+ groups to do so.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, known as ILGA World, announced this week that its board had suspended the membership of The Aguda, an umbrella organisation for Israel’s LGBTQ+ community.

ILGA World said The Aguda’s proposal to hold the group’s next world conference in Tel Aviv had violated its aims and objectives, and it is now reviewing The Aguda’s larger compliance with the ILGA World constitution.

The Aguda’s bid had been due to be voted on at ILGA World’s conference this month in Cape Town, South Africa.

“We know that seeing the Tel Aviv bid taken into consideration caused anger and harm to our communities,” ILGA World said.

Read more: Major LGBTQ+ federation suspends Israeli group, drops bid for Tel Aviv event