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.
