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Palestinian Authority bans LGBTQ groups from the West Bank

The announcement comes as the Al-Qaws group for sexual and gender diversity prepared to hold a gathering for its members in Nablus

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The Palestinian Authority has banned members of the LGBTQ community from carrying out any activities in the West Bank, according to Israeli media reports.

The move comes as the Al-Qaws group for sexual and gender diversity – which works in the West Bank and in Israeli-Arab communities – prepared to hold a gathering for its members in Nablus in late August.

Defending the ban PA Police spokesperson Luay Zreikat told the Jerusalem Post that such activities are “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.”

The PA Police added that LGBTQ activity was “completely unrelated to religions and Palestinian traditions and customs, especially in the city of Nablus.”

He accused unnamed “dubious parties” of working to “create discord and harm civic peace in Palestinian society.”

Al-Qaws condemned the police threat as “incitement,” and vowed to continue its work despite the serious challenges.

It said: “The Palestinian police announcement about our activities is very unfortunate. It’s very strange that they are accusing us of being a suspicious entity working to take apart Palestinian society.

“Al-Qaws is a Palestinian organisation that has been operating since 2001, and is carrying out educational and professional programs on sexual and gender diversity.

"We totally reject the attempt to create an atmosphere of prosecution and intimidation, as well threats of arrest.”

A member of Al-Qaws added that the police’s announcement had provoked “hundreds” of threats and hate messages from Palestinians on social media.

They said: “The attack on us is unprecedented. They are calling us traitors and corrupt people and many are calling for our execution.

"We are afraid for our lives.”

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