Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, commonly known as Al Qaws, is a Palestinian LGBT-interests organization based in Jerusalem. The organization aims to advocate pro-LGBT views within the West Bank, claiming to have a “radical social change vision” based on “anti-colonial and queer-feminist values,” while advocating to “overturn the existing oppressive and exclusive social and political structures.” Al Qaws also claims that it challenges “imposed colonial borders and decades of Israeli fragmentation policies and apartheid.” ¹

Al Qaws claims the State of Israel’s policies on LGBT inclusion are “pinkwashing.” According to an Instagram post by Al Qaws posted on October 21, 2020, Israel’s “pinkwashing shifts international attention away from colonial crimes,” by claiming to be a “progressive and gay-friendly” country. ²

In August 2019, Al Qaws planned to hold a gathering of its members but was shut down and banned, along with all LGBT organizing in the region, by The Palestinian Authority, the governing body of the Palestinian territory. A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority justified the ban by claiming that the proposed event was “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.” ³

Background

Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, or Al Qaws, is a Palestinian LGBT-interests group based in Jerusalem. The group claims to advocate for pro-LGBT views and policies within the West Bank. The organization claims to organize events and community centers across the region while operating a “national support hotline.” ^{1 4}

Al Qaws began as an “independent local project” based in Jerusalem around 2001, while growing  and officially forming in November 2007. The organization has a board of seven directors, as well as national leadership that is comprised of 50 activists. ¹

Political Activities

Palestinian Nationalism

Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society claims to advocate for pro-LGBT views and policies within the West Bank terrority, further stating it “all grassroots work is affected by Israeli colonialism and occupation” and that its views on LGBT communities in the West Bank “cannot be separated from our vision for a self-determined Palestinian society free from all forms of oppression.” ¹

The organization also claims its “radical social change vision” is built upon “anti-colonial and queer-feminist values,” while aiming to “overturn the existing oppressive and exclusive social and political structures.” Al Qaws claims that it challenges “imposed colonial borders and decades of Israeli fragmentation policies and apartheid.” ¹

Al Qaws has accused the State of Israel’s policies on LGBT inclusion as “pinkwashing.” According to an Instagram post from October 21, 2020, containing an “analysis paper” by Al Qaws titled “Beyond Propaganda: Pinkwashing as Colonial Violence,” it claimed the State of Israel’s “pinkwashing shifts international attention away from colonial crimes” through advocating itself as a “progressive and gay-friendly” country. ⁵

The post also claims that the “fight against pinkwashing” is also the “fight against colonial violence,” and that “queer liberation is tied to the liberation of Palestine.” ⁵

In an Instagram post by Al Qaws on June 9, 2023, the organization claimed that Israel exploits “issues of sexual and gender diversity” so it can “cover up its crimes” and receive financial benefits through “gay tourism.” ⁶

Organizational Ban

In August 2019, Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society was planning to organize a gathering of its members. However, the Palestinian Authority, which governs the Palestinian territory in the West Bank, banned the gathering as well as the organizing of all LGBT organizations within the area. ^{7 8}

A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority later justified the ban by claiming that Al Qaws’ gathering, along with a meeting Al Qaws had previously hosted, was “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.” The spokesperson also claimed that “dubious parties” were attempting to “create discord and harm civic peace in Palestinian society” through Al Qaws’ events, and that the organization’s activities were “unrelated to religions and Palestinian traditions and customs.” ^{3 8}

Al Qaws responded to the statement claiming it was “very strange” that the Palestinian Authority accused the organization of “being a suspicious entity working to take apart Palestinian society,” adding that it rejects the “attempt to create an atmosphere of prosecution and intimidation, as well as threats of arrest.” ³

One member of Al Qaws told the Jerusalem Post, that he and his friends had received death threats, and that people were “calling [Al Qaws] traitors and corrupt people and many are calling for our execution.” ³

Funding

Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society has received funding from private grantmaking foundations, including George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF). According to its website, OSF has provided a series of grants to Al Qaws totaling $545,000 between 2016 through 2023. ⁹

The organization has also received funding from left-of-center grantmaking group New Israel Fund, including a grant of $58,110 in 2010 and a grant of $77,000 in 2008. ^{10 11}

Al Qaws was listed as a grantee partner of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides funding to LGBT organizations. Al Qaws was listed as a 2018 grantee partner of the foundation’s International Fund, which awarded $1,746,900 in 111 grants to 89 grantees in 2018. ¹²

1. “About Us.” Accessed October 3, 2024. https://alqaws.org/about-us.
2. Qaws, Al. ““Beyond Propaganda: Pinkwashing as Colonial Violence.” (Pushing Colonial Narratives).” Instagram. October 21, 2020. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGm4rp-BmB3/?img_index=2.
3. Crowe, Jack. “Palestinian Authority Bans LGBTQ Organizing in West Bank.” National Review. August 19, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.nationalreview.com/news/palestinian-authority-bans-lgbtq-organizing-in-west-bank/.
4. “alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society.” The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://astraeafoundation.org/stories/alqaws-sexual-gender-diversity-palestinian-society/.
5. Al Qaws. ““Beyond Propaganda: Pinkwashing as Colonial Violence.” (Pushing Colonial Narratives).” Instagram. October 21, 2020. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGm4rp-BmB3/?img_index=2.
6. Al Qaws. “Pinkwashing.” Instagram. June 9, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/CtQxrZLPpe7/?img_index=1.
7. ^[1] Crowe, Jack. “Palestinian Authority Bans LGBTQ Organizing in West Bank.” National Review. August 19, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.nationalreview.com/news/palestinian-authority-bans-lgbtq-organizing-in-west-bank/.
8. Post, The Jerusalem. “PA bans LGBTQ activities in West Bank.” The Jerusalem Post . February 27, 2020. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/PA-bans-LGBT-activities-in-West-Bank-598980.
9. “Open Society Foundations – Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=Al+Qaws+for+Sexual+%26+Gender+Diversity+in+Palestinian+Society.
10. “2010 Financial Statements.” New Israel Fund. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.nif.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/NIF-2010-Financial-Statements-Final.pdf.
11. “2008 Financial Statements.” New Israel Fund. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.nif.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/NIF-2010-Financial-Statements-Final.pdf
12. “Meet our International Fund grantee partners!.” The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. October 11, 2018. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://astraeafoundation.org/stories/international-fund-grantee-partners-2018/.