Israel’s new Jewish identity tsar to cancel Pride march

ISRAEL’S incoming prime minister has agreed to give an ultra-conservative politician who wants to ban the Jerusalem Pride march the role of Jewish identity tsar, in a further shift to the far-right.

Avi Maoz, a member of the Noam [Pleasantness] party and a key figure in the faction that came third in November’s elections, will take on the role under a deal drawn up by Benjamin Netanyahu, who swept to victory in November and is poised to form a new government,

Mr Maoz has called for Jerusalem’s annual Pride march to be scrapped, branding it a “promiscuous parade of abomination,” in a move that risks alienating Israel’s gay minority.

Israel prides itself on being the most Lgbt-friendly country in the Middle East, with parades held annually in West Jerusalem as well as liberal Tel Aviv, where gay couples holding hands and kissing in public is a familiar sight.

LGBT Israelis can openly serve in the military and adopt children, while samesex marriage ceremonies conducted abroad are recognised by the state.

However, Mr Maoz said this week: “The Pride Parade in Jerusalem needs to be cancelled first of all. I will make sure to cancel it. It is a disgrace. I am quite straightforward about this.”

He has argued that the march would be an insult to religious and socially conservative Jews in the Holy City, which has held gay pride events since 1998. Mr Netanyahu has said he is opposed to banning the march.

Mr Netanyahu is also expected to appoint a convicted terrorism supporter as minister of security in the coalition. Itamar-ben Gvir, who leads the Otzma Yehudit party, was convicted in 2007 but says his views have matured.