Gay Israeli soldier unfurls LGBTQ+ flag in Gaza

Yoav Atzmoni, a gay Israel Defence Forces soldier, who was called up to fight after the October 7 massacre, unfurled an LGBTQ+ flag while stationed Gaza, which read ‘In the name of love’.

Yoav brought the Pride flag on his tank to his fight against Hamas, despite it making him a larger target for attacks by militants. He told New York Post that his brave act was one of defiance against the territory’s deep anti-gay laws and imposed rhetoric.

Yoav was called up to serve in the Israel Defence Forces following the October 7 Hamas terror attack, which killed around 1,200 people, with 240 people taken hostage.

He told his an insider at the time of his concern that a Hamas victory could set Israel’s progress on LGBTQ+ rights back several decades. “I won’t let them bring me back into the closet,” he said.

LGBTQ Palestinians living under Hamas rule deal with ‘severe persecution and ostracism,’ according to a 2022 UN Watch‘s report.

Men are also banned from same-sex activity punishable by a prison sentence of up to 10 years, according to the Human Dignity Trust.

Israel, conversely, is the only country in the Middle East to recognise same-sex marriage. The rule came into place in 2006 and allowed adopting children via surrogacy in 2020.