Democrat Khanna condemns LGBTQ group for suspending Israeli member organization

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna condemns a major international LGBTQ rights group for suspending an Israeli member organization.

“Suspending an LGBTQ organization in Israel from participating in a global organization to advance LGBTQ rights does not advance peace or justice or the Palestinian cause. If anything, it further marginalizes progressive voices within Israel,” tweets Khanna, a prominent member of the Democratic Party’s progressive caucus.

ILGA World issued a statement earlier today apologizing for even considering bringing for a vote the proposal by The Aguda, the umbrella organization for the LGBTQ community in Israel, to host its annual conference. It then went on to suspend the Israeli group.

ILGA World said it received “significant and legitimate disconcert regarding a member organization bidding to host the World Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2026 or 2027.

“In response to these multiple concerns, the ILGA World Board held an emergency meeting and unanimously decided to remove the bid from The Aguda from consideration,” it said, claiming that this is to “ensure we fully uphold universal respect for human rights, equal representation and the elimination of barriers to participation for all members – including in our conferences.”

“The ILGA World Board is also reviewing The Aguda’s compliance with our Constitution and has decided to suspend the organization from our membership to allow for that to happen,” it says.