Israeli minister makes Borat look tolerant

From PinkNews (December 2006):

IT IS questionable whether allowing Borat onto our screen is tolerable. However there is little doubt that allowing the Israeli version of the infamous Kazakh journalist, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai, in the political arena is not.

While Borat can be excused for using the worst stereotypes as a means to unveil prejudices, minister Yishai uses the worst homophobic lingo to get media attention.

It is morally unacceptable. Whatever standards we expect from journalists, fictitious or not, we cannot tolerate from highranked politicians.

The New York Times recently quoted Mr Yishai as saying: "If it was up to me, I would send the
gay community, who insisted on celebrating in Jerusalem, to Sodom and Gomorrah." He has
repeatedly said that "gays and lesbians are sick people."

Mr Yishai also appealed to the Supreme Court not to allow the Pride in Jerusalem, while comparing the pride parade to a terror attack.

Mr Yishai, the leader of Shas, the biggest Jewish orthodox party in parliament, considers
homophobia a religious tenet.

Although he’s hardly the sole hardliner of gay bashing in Israel,
his senior position should make him a target for political action. In his capacity as Minister for
Industry and Trade he travels the world seeking to promote Israeli economic interests.
Next time the minister shows up in London don’t let his metrosexual looks deceive you,
behind his meticulously tailored Armani suits and smooth talking you will find a political leader who thinks that you and I are terrorists because we are gay.

Yoav Sivan is an Israeli political activist.