Jerusalem’s Gay Pride parade. Israel signed a UNESCO initiative to combat homophobic bullying in schools. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Israel is the only Middle Eastern country to join a major United Nations agency in the fight against homophobic bullying in schools, Israel Hayom reported on Sunday.

According to the report, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett joined counterparts around the world to support the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). But the Jewish state was the only country in the region to do so.

Israeli Ambassador to UNESCO Carmel Shama Hacohen said,  “Israel is among the leaders of the pro-LGBT coalition and supports the idea and the community at every opportunity, especially when it comes to the struggle against violence and abuse within the education system.”