Hundreds protest in Beit Shemsh against homophobia
Beit Shemesh residents gather across from municipal building, protest remarks made by mayor. Mayor says remarks taken out of context, agrees to allocate funds to raise awareness to LGBT community
The Beit Shemesh mayor has stirred controversy when remarks he made regarding the city's gay community were perceived as homophobic and provocative. Abutbul insisted his remarks were taken out of context, but Thursday's protesters nonetheless carried signs reading "Homophobia is a disease – get treatment," and "Will not give up on Beit Shemesh."
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MK Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), arrived at the rally and slammed Abutbul, saying he "is attacking the gay community with ignorance and hatred… Abutbul is not worthy of the mayoral position and he must resign."
Horowitz also addressed suspicions that Abutbul's win may have been the result of election fraud.
LGBT rights groups announced Thursday morning they will not attend the rally as they have reached agreements with Abutbul, including the scheduling of seminars on the LGBT community to municipal employees. The Beit Shemesh municipality has also agreed to allocate funds to social services that will support LGBT residents.
Following the remarks Abutbul made in an interview, he said: "My remarks in the Channel 10 interview were taken out of context and addressed the issue of pedophilia and pedophiles – a condemned phenomenon within the Israeli society and any cultural country.
"I head a city in which many communities reside; I know each and every one of them and I see myself as a mayor of all. I regret that political sources, local and interest-oriented, that do not accept the decision of the voters in the elections, are trying to escalate this misunderstanding and turn it into a weapon."
