A number of friends plan to set up a party for gay people that would contend for Knesset seats in the next general election.
The party will be called Magi, a Hebrew acronym for Gay Party in Israel, the Tel Aviv magazine reported Thursday.
Gay groups stepped up their campaign for more civil rights when their plans to hold a gay pride parade in Jerusalem were cancelled by the police for fear of confrontations with the city's strictly religious residents.
Journalist and director Hagai Eyad will be appointed the party's secretary-general.
"Beyond the gimmick, I truly believe there is a need for such party ... The party is the outcome of the ongoing incitement against homosexuals and other sexual minorities in Israel," Eyad said.