With all the incessant, irrational bashing of Israel that takes place on this site, it is worth noting from time to time that Israel has a far superior human rights record than any of its neighbors. And nothing points that out more than this week's Gay Pride celebrations in Tel Aviv. These have been recognized by the municipal government and by the embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom. Links below the fold.
The Tel Aviv Municipal government has turned its main building on Rabin Square into a rainbow flag:
http://www.jpost.com/...
The United States embassy, in Tel Aviv rather than the capital of Jerusalem, flew the rainbow flag directly under the United States flag, to the consternation of American right wingers -- and Ambassador Dan Shapiro bragged about it on his Facebook page:
Furthermore, embassy staffers participated in the Gay Pride celebrations:
The United Kingdom did not let the US stand alone here, proving that at least in some counties Conservatives don't have to be homophobes:
http://www.gaystarnews.com/...
It should be noted that this is not the first time that the US has flown a rainbow flag at an embassy:
http://www.breitbart.com/...
This literally would not fly in the capitals of any of Israel's enemies. Hats off to Israel for recognizing that Gays are people, and a tip of the hat to Barack Obama and David Cameron for appointing ambassadors who salute Israel for that.