Could it be time for the gayest little outpost in the Middle East to get its very first openly gay mayor?
In 2009, 48-year-old former journalist Nitzan Horowitz became the second openly gay Knesset member in Israel’s history, and became the first to conduct unofficial same-sex marriage ceremonies in protest of anti-gay comments made by Chief Rabbinate Eli Ben Dahan.
If elected in October’s elections, Horowitz will become the very first openly gay mayor not only of Tel Aviv, but of any city in Israel.
In a press release announcing his candidacy, Horowitz told reports about his love for Tel Aviv, and his plans to tackle rising real estate prices, reform mass transit, and introduce new city planning for overcrowded neighborhoods.
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Below, Horowitz’s announcement in Hebrew:
Dionte
I think I understood 3 words from the whole video.
Kieran
Nitzan Horowitz has stated: “There are no gay civil unions in Israel, no gay marriage
and no freedom of choice in marriage, hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens are deprived of this basic right.”
And yet Israel wants to project itself as a progressive, western-style democracy to the rest of the world? Put up or shut up.
Freddie27
He’s also a member of Meretz, one of the greatest pro-peace Israeli parties. He held a rally condemning the West Bank occupation.