Correction: There are no laws on the books in either the West Bank or the Gaza Strip that specifically ban homosexual acts, though homosexuality is largely taboo in Palestinian society. This Associated Press article reported erroneously that homosexual acts are banned by law in the Palestinian territories.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian protesters whitewashed a rainbow gayrights flag that was painted by a Palestinian artist on six slabs of the West Bank separation barrier.
The artist, Khaled Jarrar, said Tuesday that his art was meant as a reminder that Palestinians live under Israeli occupation, at a time when gay rights are in the news after the U.S. allowed same-sex weddings.
But protesters perceived the painting as supporting homosexuality, a taboo subject in Palestinian society, where gays are not tolerated.
The artwork ignited angry responses among Palestinians, and activists whitewashed the flag Monday night, just a few hours after it was painted on the best-known section of Israel’s graffiti-covered barrier, next to a portrait of Yasser Arafat and other Palestinian leaders.
Jarrar, 39, who has exhibited in Europe and the United States, said the destruction “reflects the absence of tolerance and freedoms in the Palestinian society.”
“People don’t accept different thinking in our society,” he said, adding that he drew the rainbow flag on the barrier to put a spotlight on Palestinian issues.
Mohammed, who only gave his first name for fear of repercussions, said he helped whitewash the flag because “we cannot promote gay rights.”
Mohammed al-Amleh, a 46-year-old lawyer, also approved of the action, saying “it would be shameful to have the flag of gays in our refugee camp.”
Gay Palestinians tend to be secretive about their social lives, and some have crossed into Israel to live safely.
A 1951 Jordanian law banning homosexual acts remains in effect in the West Bank, as does a ban in Gaza passed by British authorities in 1936.