Friday, June 10, 2022

170,000 join in Tel Aviv Pride Parade

DPA -

Tens of thousands participated in the Gay Pride Parade in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Friday.

The parade in support of equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community drew a crowd of around 170,000 people, according to the organizers.

In advance of the event, organizers had hoped for up to 250,000 participants, which would have been a return to the numbers seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even unvaccinated tourists can travel to Israel again, whereas last year only a limited number of vaccinated tourists were allowed to enter the country to attend the parade.

In 2020, it was cancelled altogether due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under the motto "Back to Pride," people danced to music and waved the rainbow flags symbolic of the LGBT movement in 30-degree heat.

According to the city administration, Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and DJs, including Boris from the famous Berlin techno club Berghain, will perform at the closing party.


© DPA
Police officers secure the annual Gay Pride Parade in Tel Aviv. 
Ilia Yefimovich/dpa




© DPA
Participants take part in the annual Gay Pride Parade in Tel Aviv. 
Ilia Yefimovich/dpa


Over 170,000 Israelis march in Tel Aviv 2022 Pride Parade

By TAMAR URIEL-BEERI AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF - 
© (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

Tel Aviv Pride Parade 2022 kicked off with a bang on Friday morning with hundreds of thousands in attendance, donned in rainbows and glitter.

Several warnings were issued prior to the event as the heat in Tel Aviv reached new heights, with serious concern that attendees would overheat or become dehydrated.

Nevertheless, some 170,000 in attendance dressed to impress, with drag queens as tall as the heavens left and right and proud couples marching hand-in-hand.

The parade began near the Sporteque on Rokach Boulevard, where flags, hats, stickers and more were distributed.

Then, the parade began, making its way down Rokach to a massive performance area in Ganei Yehoshua within Yarkon Park.


© Provided by The Jerusalem Post
Tel Aviv Pride Parade 2022. 
(credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

This is not the traditional parade route; throughout the past decade, the event began at Gan Meir and made its way down to the famed Tel Aviv beach.

"For the first time in 20 years, the Pride March route is running through here; there is nothing more exciting than that," said Transportation Minister and Labor head Merav Michaeli.


A spokesperson for the Tel Aviv mayor's office estimated over 170,000 people participated. Attendance in 2019 was around 250,000, while last year saw some 100,000 revellers, in the city's first Pride event since the Covid-19 pandemic 
RONALDO SCHEMIDT AFP




"But," she added, "as happy as we are here today, it's important to remember those who are not here, because they are being silenced into fear. We will not allow them!"

Michaeli pointed to the drones above the crowd, noting the transportation ministry's dedication to public protection and leading position in public drone use.



Revellers in colourful outfits celebrated in the sweltering heat, waving rainbow flags and dancing to electronic music as floats slowly drove through the streets of Tel Aviv RONALDO SCHEMIDT AFP




"As the sitting leader of the Labor party, I am telling you: Labor is your home! Labor knows that equality is a non-negotiable right that applies to everyone."


Some of the artists performing on the main stage at the huge party are Agam Buhbut, Anna Zak, Harel Skaat, Zehava Ben, Jasmin Moallem, Raviv Kanner Liran Daninno and more.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.

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