Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema reports that there is no ban on carrying the Israeli flag during the Pride Walk organized by Queer Amsterdam on July 20. "The Pride Walk is a manifestation that falls under the right to demonstrate. However, freedom to demonstrate does not give the right to impose censorship on demonstrators. An organization can, therefore, not forbid people who want to participate to express themselves. It is unacceptable that people who want to carry a flag should not be allowed to do so," said the mayor.

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema reports that there is no ban on carrying the Israeli flag during the Pride Walk organized by Queer Amsterdam on July 20. “The Pride Walk is a manifestation that falls under the right to demonstrate. However, freedom to demonstrate does not give the right to impose censorship on demonstrators. An organization can, therefore, not forbid people who want to participate to express themselves. It is unacceptable that people who want to carry a flag should not be allowed to do so,” said the mayor.

The foundation Queer Amsterdam announced on Instagram on Thursday that Israeli flags are not “allowed” at the Pride Walk through the center of Amsterdam. In response to questions about the flag ban, a spokesperson for the foundation referred AT5 to the website, which states that “no form of Zionism is tolerated.” VVD councilor Daan Wijnants has indicated that he wants to ask council questions in response to the call.

    • al4s@feddit.de
      57·
      5 months ago

      Is the “Palestinian Authority police” Israeli? Because from the article it doesn’t sound like it - neither does the name tbh.

      From the article (emphasis mine)

      […] local Palestinian Authority police are aware and keep files on him and other homosexuals, blackmailing them into working as spies and informants

      • geneva_convenienceOP
        13·
        5 months ago

        Israel surveils and blackmails gay Palestinians to make them informants

        Haaretz has a story up on 43 reservists in Israeli intelligence who are refusing to serve because of the “political persecution” of Palestinians.

        “No boundaries were set for us, for both passive activities such as gathering intelligence, and for active initiatives that had an impact on people’s lives. If anyone interests us, we’d collect information on his or her economic situation and mental state. Then we would plan how we can perform an operation around this individual, in order to turn them into a collaborator or something of the sort….”

        Any information that might enable extortion of an individual is considered relevant information. Whether said individual is of a certain sexual orientation, cheating on his wife, or in need of treatment in Israel or the West Bank – he is a target for blackmail.

        The PA is a front for Israel. Maybe this is not well known. They PA arrests Palestinian resistance fighters and hand them over to Israel as well.

    • Fennek@feddit.orgEnglish
      417·
      5 months ago

      You clearly forgot to say “by palestinian Authorities” like your linked article states. Oh wait, this would make palestinian authorities undermined by Hamas look bad, too. This must be why you left it out intentionally.