Tel Aviv mayor announces cancellation of annual Pride parade - Israel News

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced the cancellation of the Tel Aviv LGBTQ Pride Parade, according to Israeli media.

“Now is not the time to party,” he wrote. “132 of our sons and daughters are still kidnapped in Gaza, the circle of mourning widens every day and we are living through one of the most difficult times in the State of Israel. See you at the Pride Parade in June 2025.”

Instead of the parade, there will be a rally that he said will be “a sign of pride, hope and freedom.”

“The decision to cancel the parade, as well as the reduction of Purim and Independence Day events, was made after careful consideration of the matter, during which we listened to the public mood and as a sign of solidarity with the evacuees and the families of the hostages as well as the pain of the bereaved families”, Mako cited the municipality’s press release. “However, due to the municipality’s deep commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the fact that Tel Aviv-Jaffa is the warm home of the community in all its nuances, Pride Week will be celebrated in June with local events for the community target audience. »

This is not the first time it has been canceled

The last time it was decided to hold a rally instead of a parade was in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ynet reported.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai speaks during a protest march as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Tel Aviv, November 24, 2022. (credit : TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)

Huldai’s decision came after decisions were made to moderate Independence Day celebrations and other ceremonies. Local officials are also seriously considering how to hold Memorial Day and Independence Day events this year, according to the report.