Kareem’s Journey: A Palestinian Asylum Seeker’s Struggle for Acceptance and Safety
Kareem faced unimaginable threats from his own father upon rumors of his sexuality reaching their home in Ramallah. The 22-year-old recounted a chilling encounter: “My dad aimed his gun towards me and said that if he ever finds out that I’m gay, he would ‘rest a bullet between my eyes.’” To safeguard himself, Kareem, who changed his name for security reasons, decided to leave his home behind. In March 2024, a significant ruling by the Tel Aviv Court granted LGBTQ+ Palestinians the right to seek asylum in Israel, a breakthrough that would ultimately lead Kareem to cross the border in hopes of finding a safer existence.
The Illusion of Safety in Israel
For many supporters of Israel, the country is heralded as the “only democracy in the Middle East” and a refuge for the LGBTQ+ community. Critics, however, have raised concerns about “pinkwashing”—the practice of using LGBTQ+ rights to divert attention from broader human rights violations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments during a speech to the U.S. Congress in July 2024 exemplified this tactic as he mocked activists advocating for Palestinian LGBTQ+ rights. “They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC,’” he remarked dismissively.
Kareem’s newfound residency in Israel was, at first glance, a reprieve from the dangers he faced in the West Bank. However, navigating the asylum process proved to be fraught with new challenges. Interviews with Kareem and advocates reveal that despite some measure of safety away from his family, the bureaucratic requirements of asylum often expose these individuals to further risks, including intimidation to provide sensitive information to Israeli intelligence.
A Fragile Existence Under Constant Surveillance
Kareem found himself caught in a precarious situation as he was pressured for information about his remaining connections in the West Bank. During an interview at a processing facility, Israeli authorities exchanged the promise of expedited permit approvals for details about his loved ones. His attorney, Tamir Blank, explained the inherent weakness in these situations: asylum seekers, lacking legal status or familial support, become prime targets for coercion.
As rumors about his supposed collaboration with Israeli authorities intensified back in Ramallah, Kareem’s safety diminished rapidly. His family began posting on social media, offering rewards for information about his whereabouts while his phone buzzed incessantly with threats. Unable to escape the clutches of both his family and the bureaucracy that temporarily held his fate, he felt trapped. The complexities surrounding asylum, compounded by familial betrayal, left Kareem in a state of limbo.
Legal Battles and Emotional Toll
Kareem’s journey through the asylum process included numerous court appearances and legal hurdles. His first welfare permit, granted with the assistance of a humanitarian organization, provided a glimmer of hope. However, just six months later, he woke up to an alert that it had been revoked due to a security flag placed on his record—an unjust narrative manipulated by his family to ensure he faced repatriation to a life where death was a likely consequence.
After multiple legal challenges, Kareem managed to have his permit reinstated late in 2024, revealing that the erroneous intelligence used against him may have stemmed from false allegations by his family. Yet, the path moving forward remains unclear. While he can renew his status, he ultimately faces no permanent solution, leaving him suspended in a state of uncertainty.
Despite the ongoing turmoil, Kareem maintains a facade of lightheartedness in his everyday life. Living in transitional housing in Tel Aviv, he reflects on his journey with a mix of humor and sorrow. Though he once hoped for renewal through international resettlement, his aspirations have been dashed amid rising global anti-immigrant sentiments.
Kareem’s story is a poignant illustration of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ Palestinians, highlighting the intersection of identity, family loyalty, and the quest for safety. He admits, “What I miss is my home, the West Bank,” as he gazes upon the unforgiving Mediterranean Sea that now represents both his escape and his isolation.