Tel-Aviv Recognition by MTV as Gay-Friendly Tourist Destination Protested in Israel

MTV’s LGBT Network, Logo's mere nomination of Tel-Aviv for gay ‘sexiest city’ and ‘year breakthrough’ was denounced by a Tel-Aviv-based queer group, Israeli Queers for Palestine, which argued that MTV’s choice of Tel-Aviv sends a normalizing message to the Israeli occupation and oppression of the Palestinians, particularly in light of a Palestinian queer and general calls for a boycott of Israel.

Israel actively pursues gay tourism, as illustrated by the following, confusingly-edited television commercial produced by the Israel Ministry of Tourism.