PA police prevent gathering of Palestinian gay activists; Gay activities are "a violation of the highest ideals and values of the Palestinian society"

Headline: "The [PA] police act to prevent an attempt to hold a gathering of homosexuals in the West Bank"

"The Palestinian [Authority] police announced yesterday [Aug. 17, 2019] that it is pursuing a group that intends to hold a gathering of homosexuals in the West Bank. It emphasized that it will prevent this and accused 'dubious parties' of being behind the matter.

In a statement published on the police’s official website, Police Spokesman Luay Erziqat was quoted as saying that the police are searching for the organizers of this gathering - and they will be transferred to the legal authorities the moment they are caught.' ...

Erziqat said to AFP (Agence France-Presse) that 'the police are seeking a group of homosexuals that has begun preparations for a gathering they called a "rainbow gathering" on the internet.'

He added that the police 'will prevent any activity by the homosexual group called "Al-Qaws" (i.e., rainbow).' ...

The spokesman explained in a previous statement that 'Such activities are considered a violation of the highest ideals and values of the Palestinian society.'

Erziqat blamed 'dubious parties who are attempting to stir up strife and harm the public order of the Palestinian society,' but he did not note who these parties are.

He called on Palestinians 'to contact the police and report any person who has a connection to this organization.'"

Note: "alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society is a group of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) Palestinian activists and allies. An open queer and feminist space, alQaws inspires and engages its community to disrupt sexual and gender-based oppression and challenge regulation, whether patriarchal, capitalist or colonial, of our sexualities and bodies. alQaws works collaboratively to transform Palestinian society’s perspectives on gender and sexual diversity, LGBT issues, and to struggle for broader social justice."