An Israeli labor union warned Social Equality Minister May Golan (Likud) on Wednesday that her ministry’s reported decision to stop funding municipal LGBTQ+ coordinators could lead to layoffs and reduce services for vulnerable communities across the country.
Histadrut HaMaof, a branch of Israel’s national labor federation that represents workers in local government and public-sector administration, sent a letter to Golan, Federation of Local Authorities in Israel chairman Haim Bibas, local authority heads, and municipal directors-general.
The union demanded that the government halt the move and hold talks with workers’ representatives before any funding is cut.
In Israel, many social services are delivered through municipalities and regional councils, known collectively as local authorities. These bodies often depend on national government funding to operate programs for specific populations, including youth, senior citizens, people with disabilities, immigrants, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The municipal LGBTQ+ coordinators work inside local authorities and help develop community programs, connect residents with social services, advise municipalities on LGBTQ+ needs, and support people facing social, family, or welfare-related distress.
LGBTQ programming promoting tolerance, inclusion, safety, and belonging
The program is connected to the Social Equality Ministry, which is responsible for promoting policies for various population groups in Israeli society. Under previous ministry frameworks, local authorities received state support for LGBTQ+ programming aimed at promoting tolerance, inclusion, safety, and community belonging.
Histadrut HaMaof said the reported funding halt could lead to the dismissal of municipal workers, harm workers’ rights, cancel community programs, and weaken services used by residents who need support and guidance. The union warned that the impact would be especially severe in poorer municipalities and towns in Israel’s periphery, where local authorities have fewer independent resources to replace state funding.
“The decision by the Ministry for Social Equality to stop funding LGBTQ+ coordinators in local authorities is a grave and unreasonable decision that could lead to the dismissal of dedicated workers and harm populations that need the services and assistance they provide,” said Adv. Gil Bar-Tal, chairman of Histadrut HaMaof.
“This is a move with deep social consequences, made without sufficient dialogue and with disregard for the heavy price that will be paid by the workers, the local authorities, and the public,” he added.
LGBTQ issue has become politically charged
The dispute comes amid broader criticism from LGBTQ+ organizations and local officials over the direction of LGBTQ+ policy under Golan, a Likud lawmaker who serves as minister for social equality and the advancement of the status of women.
The issue has become politically sensitive because LGBTQ+ services in Israel are often provided through a combination of national ministry budgets, local authority staff, and civil society organizations. When ministry funding is delayed, reduced, or canceled, municipalities may be forced to scale back programs or end staff positions.
Hebrew media previously reported that dozens of local authorities had LGBTQ+ coordinators whose work depended on ministry funding. Reports over the past year described uncertainty around renewed state support, warnings from municipalities about possible dismissals, and criticism from LGBTQ+ groups that the ministry was weakening existing services.
The ministry also faced controversy after reports that LGBTQ+ programs had been instructed to remove the Social Equality Ministry’s logo from publicity materials. Golan denied that this reflected official policy and said the instruction had been issued without authorization.
Union frames the move as a labor-rights fight
While much of the public debate has focused on LGBTQ+ rights and social policy, Histadrut HaMaof framed the issue as a labor dispute as well.
The union said the decision was made within a short time frame, without sufficient consultation with workers’ representatives, and without properly considering the employment and social consequences.
“LGBTQ+ coordinators are not a luxury,” Bar-Tal said. “They are an inseparable part of the community-service system in local authorities, and every day they provide support, guidance, and accompaniment to thousands of citizens.”
He said some of the work helps prevent situations of risk and distress among teenagers and young adults.
“At a complex social and economic time, the state should strengthen services like these,” he said.
Bar-Tal called on the government and local authorities to stop the move, continue funding the program, and hold “real dialogue” with workers’ representatives before making unilateral decisions.
“Dedicated workers and the communities they serve must not become the victims of a mistaken and short-sighted decision,” he said.