A decision by Rome Pride to ban Italy’s only Jewish LGBT group unless it condemns Israel’s actions in Gaza, has been called "madness" by the organisation’s president.
Organisers of the festival, which is set to take place on June 20, announced that Keshet Italia, as well as Keshet Europe, would not be allowed to have an official float on the day unless they express “a clear and unequivocal stance condemning the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government”.
"Anyone who shares the founding values of our movement and our community can join us in the streets,” read a statement from organisers.
"Participation of a float in the Roma Pride therefore presupposes — regardless of the sexual orientation, identity, religion, ethnicity, or nationality of those aboard — a clear and unequivocal stance condemning the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government.
"We are fully capable of distinguishing between the Israeli government and the Jewish community, made up of both LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ people, and we could never attribute to the latter responsibility for the criminal acts of war carried out by a genocidal government.
"We do, however, hold Keshet Italia responsible for having failed, and continue to fail, to distance itself from the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
Keshat Italia condemned the threat, saying: “There is no Pride if minorities are excluded. Pride has become an ideological tribunal that expels minorities and has lost its soul. We do not accept lessons in rights from those who practice identity-based exclusion.”
The group also said that it was being subject to a political test to prove it is “worthy” of attending.
Ariel Heller, the president of Keshet Italia, told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan: “As Jews, we are not responsible for everything that the government of another country does.
“This was just a way for them to remove our organisation and our community. This is Europe in 2026, and Jews still have to fear taking part in a Pride parade in Italy. It is madness.”
Combat Antisemitism Movement’s (CAM) executive director of European affairs, Shannon Seban, also commented on the move by Rome Pride, saying: “We strongly condemn the exclusion of Jewish [LGBT] groups Keshet Italia and Keshet Europe from the Rome Pride parade.
“When Pride excludes Jews, it betrays Pride itself.
“No community should be forced to renounce its identity or its connection to its homeland in order to march in a Pride parade. Jewish [LGBT] individuals have every right to participate without censorship or ideological loyalty tests.”
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.