First Time Waving The LGBTQ Flag, Israeli Foreign Ministry Reaps Criticism

LGBTQ flags fly in the courtyard of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. (Source: Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs via The Jerusalem Post)

JAKARTA - Even a week after serving as Israel's Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid has instructed his ministry to fly the LGBTQ flag, or rainbow flag.

Yair Lapid instructed the raising of this flag on Monday, June 21 local time, carried out in the courtyard outside his office, being the first time the ministry raised the flag, honoring Pride Month.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its workers are leading a message of tolerance, brotherhood and freedom," Lapid wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Idan Roll who is part of the LGBTQ group said the rainbow flag is important news at home and abroad.

"I remember myself as a 16-year-old boy, with worries about the future, and I hope this moment reassures young men and women across Israel and the world. Sending a message of tolerance and acceptance to all Israeli society," Roll said.

The raising of the flag drew criticism from the leader of the Religious Zionist Party Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called the flag-raising a cheap provocation, insulting religious sensitivities.

"I have no problem with LGBT people, we are all brothers," said Ben-Gvir.

"But at the same time, raising the flag doesn't help them. On the contrary, it hurts them and turns them into pawns in Lapid's hands. The main problem is the extroversion and provocation that Israeli children are experiencing," he criticized.

To note, the LGBTQ rainbow flag was first reported at the 'Gay Freedom Day Parade' which was held in San Francisco, United States on June 25, 1978, as quoted by Britanica.