Israeli symbols and Pride flags with the Star of David, will be banned at the Washington, D.C. Dyke March which is set to take place on Friday

DC Dyke March organizers say that while Jewish symbols would be allowed in general, rainbow flags with a Star of David appearing in the center are banned because they are “almost entirely reminiscent” of the Israeli flag.

“We are asking people to not bring nationalist symbols because violent nationalism does not fit with our vision of queer liberation,” they wrote. “And because we need the march to be a space that is as welcoming to Palestinian Dykes as it is to Jewish Dykes. The ‘Jewish Pride Flag’ seemed to only rise in popularity after the Chicago Dyke March — it was never a flag that we felt directly connected to, and it does not represent all Jewish Dykes,” they continued, referencing controversy that erupted in 2017 when the Chicago Dyke March ejected participants who carried such flags.

The event, which will take place in the capital after a 12-year hiatus, is not affiliated with the annual Pride Parade, as it rejects “the corporate sponsorship of Pride.”

In an interview with the Washington Post, one of the march’s organizers Laila Makled said the ban is intended to help create a welcoming space.

“All people should have a space to celebrate themselves, but I feel like at this moment in D.C. there is definitely a demand for a more inclusive way to display pride and protest,” she said.

The Anti-Defamation League criticized the ban, calling it “outrageous” and saying: “Banning the Star of David in their parade is anti-Semitic, plain and simple.

If this is what “QUEER”really is. Perhaps those out there that call themselves and identify as “queer” might want to think twice about that.