Rome's Pride Rejected by Jewish LGBT Groups

Organizers of Rainbow Pride in Rome have refused to allow the official parade vehicle of Jewish LGBT organizations Keshet Italia and Keshet Europe to participate in this year’s march, Il Giornale reports.

According to the organizers, the decision was taken because Keshet Italia had not clearly distanced itself from what they described as the “genocide in Gaza” allegedly being carried out by the Israeli government. Pride organizers stressed, however, that individuals from the Jewish LGBT community are still welcome to attend the event. The restriction applies only to the organizations’ official representation.

Organizers said the Rome Pride political manifesto openly supports Palestinian resistance and condemns the Israeli government over alleged war crimes. They argued that participation with an official parade vehicle is therefore “a political responsibility, not an automatic right”.

The decision has sparked sharp criticism in Italy. Senator Ivan Scalfarotto described the move as absurd and warned against what he called an “ideological test” applied exclusively to Jewish organizations.

(mja)