LGBTQ Agudah faces backlash for congratulating Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana on Likud primary win

Israel's Association for LGBTQ Equality, known as The Aguda, is facing sharp criticism after congratulating Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana on securing a prominent position on the Likud party list following primary elections. The organization posted a celebratory message on Wednesday, but it was met with over a thousand predominantly negative comments, with many questioning the decision.

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When a community member is elected by a large public, when a community member reaches positions of influence at the core of politics, it sends an important message.

"When a community member is elected by a large public, when a community member reaches positions of influence at the core of politics, it sends an important message," The Aguda wrote in its post. The association emphasized that Ohana's success highlights the ability of LGBTQ individuals to integrate and lead, calling it a "direct result of the long-standing LGBTQ struggle that moved the community from the backyard of Israeli society to center stage."

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It highlights the ability of each and every one of us to integrate, lead, and reach any role, and this is a direct result of the long-standing LGBTQ struggle that moved the community from the backyard of Israeli society to center stage.

However, many LGBTQ community members and others expressed dismay. Comments on the post questioned if the organization's account had been compromised, with some users sarcastically remarking on the ability of LGBTQ people to now be "fascists too." Others pointed to Ohana's perceived inaction on community-benefiting legislation, despite his position within a majority coalition. "A community member who lends a hand to a coalition that raised flags with statements like 'LGBTQ people are worse than Hezbollah,' and hasn't passed a single law for the community despite being in a majority position. Truly a great point of pride," one commenter wrote.

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The election of Amir Ohana - as an openly gay man and proud father - to the top of Likud by tens of thousands of party members is an LGBTQ achievement. It reflects how broad and cross-party the public consensus around the community has become.

Further criticism accused The Aguda of congratulating Ohana solely based on his sexual identity rather than his actions. "Unbelievable to an almost homophobic degree. You are congratulating a person solely based on his sexual identity. He has done nothing for the community and has no connection to the ideology," another user stated. The controversy highlights a divide within the community regarding engagement with political figures who hold positions of influence but may not have a track record of direct advocacy for LGBTQ rights.

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Thanks to decades of stubborn struggle, now LGBTQ people can be fascists too.