heeb pride

well, it's really more like zionist pride or somethin somethin, but i find it quite exceptional (though, knowing israel, unsurprising) that a technically "religious" country is able to provide basic protections for public assembly of the gay community. not only that, but the government essentially deemed banning such a display out of the question, though certain groups and leaders (all the way up to the vatican!) had vigorously demanded it. the region is so fucked up, certainly due in part to theocratic governments. israel is one too, to an extent, but somehow that doesn't manage to interfere with the most basic civil rights within its borders. it's an incredibly unique country, especially in the region.

it's so ironic that something like this would follow one of the most egregiously awful actions by the israeli military in recent memory. there's no question in my mind, and the support of gay rights proves that israel views human and civil rights as important. but then these things happen and it just pulls all of israel's moral high ground out from under them. in downtown new york last week, there were picketers in front of this israeli-owned coffee shop, aroma, handing out flyers and exhorting passers-by to counter "zionist apartheid" by not supporting the restaurant. the ridiculousness of targeting a business for political policies aside, it's always painful to see how people truly view israel as an evil entity -- not least because the country's actions sometimes support that assertion.