The Palestinian-American writer and activist Ali Abunimah has derided as “pinkwashing” Israeli efforts “to build up support for Israel among Western liberals and progressives” by drawing attention to the nation’s policies on gay rights. “Pinkwashing,” in Mr. Abunimah’s definition, “is a rhetorical strategy that deploys Israel’s supposed enlightenment toward LGBTQ issues to deflect criticism from Israel’s human rights abuses and war crimes.”

The term was invoked in relation to the attack on Thursday by Pauline Park, a transgender activist who supports the Palestinian cause.