It was the type of perilous love story that was only ever going to have one outcome. Even the Israeli peace activist, Ezra Yitzhak, knew that falling for a deeply religious Muslim from Palestine could potentially have a tragic ending. The fact that the relationship was a same-sex one made it even all the more dangerous.
In Palestine, homosexuality is a taboo subject and those who dare to ‘come out’ are often badly beaten. But a worse punishment – probably a malicious death – might well have been visited on an Arab, involved in an intimate relationship with one of The Enemy.
It was for this reason that Ezra felt it would be best if his lover, Fuad (we have changed his name because to reveal it could endanger his life) joined him in Israel. But there was a catch. Fuad was refused a ‘blue card’ entry permit and had to come into Israel illegally. To make matters even more complicated, Fuad could be imprisoned if he was picked up in Israel because he was already on probation for a similar, illegal entry offence. He was also known by Israeli authorities for car theft and had been arrested for rioting in the first intifada – the Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule in 1987 to 1993.
For five years, they lived together “in secret” in west Jerusalem: there was an ever-present danger that Fuad would be picked up by the authorities and incarcerated. The 54-year-old Ezra told hotpress that the “constant fear” of Fuad getting arrested eventually sounded the death-knell of their relationship. “It was a nightmare – all the time under pressure. My English is not good enough to describe it, but it is a very, very bad thing,” Ezra says, adding that they even considered emigrating. “We tried to do it but it is very, very difficult. Also, he was in jail before. It was mission impossible. We were just two gentlemen who loved one another and we wanted to be together. But sadly it was not to be. It was only a matter of time before he was arrested.”
This happened four months ago when the 31-year-old Palestinian was handed down an 18-month sentence for living illegally in Israel. Despite ending the relationship, Ezra and Fuad were still good friends. In fact, Ezra had even helped his ex-lover find new accommodation and was in the process of picking up some kitchen utilities when the news reached him about Fuad’s arrest.
“There are tens of thousands of people like him. The policy of Israel is not to allow any Palestinians to live here, even if a Palestinian has a husband or wife who is Israeli. They do not give them the certificate to be united,” explains Ezra, who is better known in Ireland as being a former partner of Senator David Norris. He speaks warmly about Norris. “We are still very close. Not lovers. We have become family. He is more than brother. Almost weekly we are in contact on the telephone.”
Ezra declares himself to be an eternal optimist, particularly when it comes to the prospect of peace between Israel and Palestine. But, Ezra says, he is very much pessimistic about Fuad’s future. “It is difficult. He will finish his life in jail because he can’t do anything. He can’t be in Palestine and he can’t be in Israel. All the time he is pushed aside. Personally, I am not upset, but the principal – as a political issue – is very upsetting. He is a victim of the situation. I’m not afraid about him being in danger in prison because nobody knows that he is gay. But it is killing him. He is appealing now. But he will have no support – and nowhere to go – when he gets out.”
Ezra, who is a plumber by trade, has been campaigning for Palestinians’ rights for several decades now. He is also known for using his plumbing know-how to rebuild houses in the South Hebron Hills that were demolished by the Israeli army. A film, entitled Citizen Nawi, has now been made about Ezra’s life story. So far, the film has received a limited release in Israel. “The picture reflects Israeli society,” explains Ezra. “The film is about me on two levels. One level is my activities, my profession, and the second is my private life. First of all, my activities are political. I find a way to help them (Palestinians) as much as I can. My ex-partner is in jail now, but in the movie he gets out of the jail, yes…”
Let’s hope the film’s optimistic ending for Ezra’s ex-partner is echoed in real life.