When far-left Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar were recently denied entry into Israel, they had listed their destination as “Palestine” in a clear act of antagonism. The merits of Israel’s decision to deny the congresswomen entry are ripe for debate, but one thing is no longer disputable: the blatant hypocrisy of supposedly progressive Democrats supporting an illiberal Palestinian Authority government over our Israeli allies.

After all, members of “the squad” such as Tlaib and Omar have come down firmly on the side of Palestine in the conflict, falsely painting Israel as their “oppressors” and in Omar’s case, even invoking anti-Semitic rhetoric in her criticisms of Israel. But just today the Jerusalem Post reports that Palestine, in all its progressive glory, is banning gay and transgender activism from the West Bank.

The Palestinian Authority is banning all LGBT members from activities in the West Bank.https://t.co/uh6qbXWGb3 — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 18, 2019

The pro-gay and pro-Palestine group Al-Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society recently hosted an event in Nablus, and in response, the Palestinian Authority, which governs the Palestinian territory, has “banned members of the LGBTQ community from carrying out any activities in the West Bank.” A spokesperson for the Palestinian police told the Jerusalem Post that the group’s activities were “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society” and suggested that the police will identify and detain those behind the gay rights activism. Some members of Al-Qaws now fear for their lives.

This is the society that Tlaib, Omar, and company vociferously defend. Such vicious anti-gay intolerance betrays everything the progressive women claim to stand for, and reveals the dysfunctionality of their intersectional worldview.

Friendly reminder why I support Israel. Please tell me who the “oppressors” are. https://t.co/xAcmW5D0Wp — Brad Polumbo (@brad_polumbo) August 19, 2019

One needs understand nothing about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to acknowledge that Israel is a beacon of freedom in the Middle East, one of the only places that protects religious pluralism, free speech, and gay rights. Israel protects gay people under anti-discrimination law, allows them to serve openly in the military, boasts many famous gay celebrities, and proudly celebrates gay pride month each year. It does not allow for gay marriage, but does offer recognition for domestic partnerships.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian territories are a hellhole for gay people. This is especially true in the Gaza Strip, populated by Palestinians and governed by an unelected Hamas government. There, homosexuality is punishable by death . According to Amnesty International , “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people were subjected to arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment.” And according to Pew Research , nearly 95% of Palestinians reject homosexuality.

It’s bizarre and hypocritical that ostensibly progressive congresswomen such as Omar and Tlaib who claim to support gay rights and the dignity of gay people, side with illiberal, homophobic governments over our freedom-loving allies in Tel Aviv. Let's see them explain that away.