UK MPs rally to support Palestinian LGBT rights group

Wes Streeting MP for Ilford North and sixty other Parliamentary signaturies write to UK Palestinian Ambassador concerning police crackdown on LGBT rights group al-Qaws.

THE Palestinian Authority police have banned the LGBT rights group al-Qaws from organising activities in the West Bank. Their spokesperson Louay Arzeikat, said that al-Qaws’ activities ‘go against and infringe upon the higher principles and values of Palestinian society’, threatening the police would pursue al-Qaws’ staff and urged members of the public to confidentially inform upon them.

Wes Streeting, MP said: “We are extremely concerned by reports that the Palestinian Authority are attempting to silence al-Qaws, the Palestinian LGBT community group, following the remarks made by police spokesperson Louay Arzeikat.

“As supporters of Palestinian human rights and statehood as part of a two-state solution, we want to see the right to free expression being protected for everyone in Palestinian society – including the LGBT communities.

“We have sought urgent clarification from the Palestinian Ambassador concerning the PA’s attitude towards the human rights of LGBT Palestinians and their safety.”