"Homosexuals are my brothers, but I'm against walking around in the streets in underwear," MK Itamar Ben-Gvir, chairman of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, said in an interview on the Ofira and Berkovic talk show on Channel 12 that was broadcast Friday evening.
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Tens of thousands of people participated in the Gay Pride march in Tel Aviv on Friday.
When co-host Ofira Asayag took out a rainbow pride flag during the interview and asked Ben-Gvir if he would wish the marchers a happy holiday, he responded: "I won't say happy holiday."
"Today is not a holiday. But I'll surprise you," Ben-Gvir added. "The homosexuals are my brothers and the lesbians are my sisters. I've always said that but I'm against walking around in the streets in underwear and I'm against being coerced."
Pressed on by Asayag, who asked what he would do if his son came out of the closet, Ben-Gvir said: "I'll give him a hug. He's my son. After telling [him] that, I'll ask him not to march in pride parades and be provocative."
"I'm extreme in my love for Israel," Ben-Gvir replied after Asayag accused him of being a racist provocateur and agitator. "I'm an elected official. My job is not to sit in the Knesset and eat [snacks]."
"You are a member of Knesset. You're not a hilltop youth anymore," co-host Eyal Berkovic said, using a term used to describe extreme right-wing settlers who are teenagers. "You can't behave like a punk," he added.
"This is a Jewish state. I'm against coercion. I fight enemies. Our country is ending," Ben-Gvir answered.
He went on to say: "I don't incite against Arabs. I have no problem with Arabs. Anyone who lives with us in peace, ahlan wa sahlan ("welcome" in Arabic). Whoever is loyal [to the country], I'm with him. Anyone who isn't loyal should get out of here. Anyone who comes out against the State of Israel needs to leave. I'd also put [Meretz MK] Ofer Cassif on a plane out of here."
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