The first LGBT + shelter in Israel, specifically catered towards supporting Arab-Israeli youth, is set to open its doors in March 2023 in Haifa, a mixed Jewish-Arab city with a large Arab queer community.
Ibtisam Mara’ana-Menuhin, an Arab-Israeli member of Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, who led the work on the shelter, told Mirror it will provide “a home, protection and education” to members of the Arab LGBT+ community in Israel.
“My goal is to create a warm home for the Arab gay community, with Arabic-speaking staff, social workers, counsellors, and full access to care and support from Arab society in the city of Haifa, ” she said.
The member of Israel’s Labour Party began pushing for the establishment of the shelter when she discovered a lack of social services available, in Arabic, for Arab-Israeli LGBT+ youth, which left them feeling “detached, lonely and disconnected”.
In Hebrew-speaking shelters, Arabic-speaking youth reported feeling “significantly lonely”, with many leaving their emergency accommodation, as they struggled to express themselves in Hebrew.
“Shelter staff wouldn’t usually understand Arabic, nor the challenges queer Arabs face, in terms of societal codes and culture,” Mara’ana-Menuhin said.
The bridging of this “linguistic and cultural gap” in services was a “critical factor” in establishing the shelter, which has received the backing of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security in Israel.
“Arab social workers are more familiar with Arab society, more aware of the social barriers, and know how to show understanding and empathy in an authentic way.
“The shelter we have been working on will allow queer Arab youth to express their identities in Arabic.”
She hopes the shelter will allow LGBT+ Arab-Israeli youth to “live within society, rather than tearing them away from it”.
Rita Petrenko, director of an NGO which supports the Arab LGBT+ community, al-Bait al-Mokhtalef (the Different House), said: “Of course, the issue is very sensitive.
“I understand some people don’t accept the idea of separation between Hebrew and Arabic speaking youth. In fact, I discourage such kind of separation in all fields: education, work, social engagement etc.
“However in this case, we are discussing social rehabilitation processes. These should be tailored to specific problems facing the Arab LGBT+ community.
“An Arabic speaking shelter opens further possibilities to go through the rehabilitation process in a safe space.
Petrenko highlights that “the cornerstone of rehabilitation is comprehending an individual’s needs”.
“So, a lack of cultural understanding may result in ineffective support and unsustainable outcomes long-term.”
“Furthermore, it is not a secret that the Arab community suffers from racism and microaggressions in Israel.
“Those who are exposed to this behaviour in mixed shelters receive additional trauma in a supposedly safe environment. Some even prefer to reside on the streets to avoid it.”
Mara’ana-Menuhin explained that she consulted members of the Arab community in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as she helped to develop the shelter “to create security and a sense of equality.”
“My duty as a public representative is working for the disadvantaged people. It is my duty to be brave for the next generation and for a better and equal society,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there is still a lot of homophobia, transphobia and discrimination in the Middle East and beyond. This hatred must be stopped and we should allow freedom and equality for all.”
“It is our duty to learn how to live together and live in a partnership based on real equality, regardless of religion, nationality, color or sexual orientation.”
