Madrid Gay Pride Parade Bans Israelis Over Flotilla Incident

Jillian Bandes | June 10, 2010 9:13 AM

Gay residents from Tel Aviv were rebuffed when they tried to join Spain's Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transexuals and Bisexuals in a display of gay pride in Madrid. Why? Tel Aviv politicians haven't denounced the flotilla incident. Here's Antonio Poveda, president of the Federation, speaking to The Guardian:

After what has happened, and as human rights campaigners, it seemed barbaric to us to have them taking part...We don't just defend out own little patch.

Ironically, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that allows gays to be open about their sexuality. In Palestine, Hamas — the group the flotilla activists were trying to defend — condemns homosexuality as a crime.