Netanyahu on US news show: ‘I won’t accept’ harm to LGBT rights in Israel

Presumed incoming prime-minister Benjamin Netanyahu says in an interview with a US television network that he will not allow any harm to come to LGBT rights in Israel.

“I just won’t accept any of that. It’s not something I’m saying now — I have a record now and a record in general of having two hands on the wheel,” Netanyahu says during the NBC show “Meet the Press,” noting that “I ultimately decide policy.”

“I’m going to safeguard Israeli democracy, I’m going to bring peace, categorically… and I’m going to stop Iran. That’s what I’m coming back for, and that’s what I’m committing to,” he adds

Netanyahu’s comments come days after he signed a coalition deal with Noam MK Avi Maoz — a far-right anti-LGBT politician who says he wants to ban the Jerusalem pride parade — handing him control over extracurricular programming in schools.

Netanyahu also says that “I doubt” there will be any changes to the Law of Return, which currently allows anyone with one Jewish grandparent to become a citizen.

Asked about former US president Donald Trump’s recent meeting with avowed antisemites Kanye West and Nick Fuentes, Netanyahu says it is “not merely unacceptable, it’s just wrong,” but makes a point to praise Trump for his positions on Israel.

The Likud leader also says that once he takes office he will deliberate the issue of providing military assistance to Ukraine.

“That’s one of the issues I’m going to take up,” Netanyahu says, noting that it is a concern that “requires careful deliberation.”