(JTA) — Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai led about 250,000 revelers participating in his city’s annual gay Pride Parade procession, the largest in the Middle East.
“I promise you we will not relent and continue to fight until we see full equality in the State of Israel,” Huldai, a reserves fighter pilot for the Israel Air Force and longtime ally of the LGBTQ community in Israel, said in his speech June 14.
The mayor ended his speech on Bnei Zion Avenue, in the city’s south, with the words “chag sameach,” meaning “happy holiday” and commonly used on Jewish religious holidays.
The procession of floats and marchers, many wearing little more than adhesive glitter and body paint, is the 21st edition of Tel Aviv Pride and one of the largest yet in terms of participation, Ynet reported.
Amir Ohana, Israel’s newly appointed justice minister — the first openly gay Cabinet minister in Israel, attended the march with his life partner.
After the participants reached Charles Clore Park, thousands proceeded to the beach, where Gay Pride celebrations typically continue into the night.
Israeli-Americans Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin talked about the pain of losing their 23-year-old son, who was kidnapped and later murdered in the Oct. 7th tragedy.
The remaining 6,000 members of the community are expected to immigrate by 2030.
Israel is increasingly reliant on foreign workers, hundreds of whom moved into the dilapidated building during the Iran war.
Colorectal cancer rates are climbing among young people and Ashkenazi Jews.