Tel Aviv mayor announces cancellation of annual Pride parade

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced the cancellation of the LGBTQ Pride parade in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media reports. Instead of the parade, there will be a rally, which he says will be “a sign of pride, hope and freedom.”

“This is not the time for celebrations,” he wrote. “132 of our sons and daughters are still kidnapped in Gaza, the circle of bereavement is expanding every day, and we are in one of the most difficult periods of the State of Israel. See you at the Pride Parade in June 2025.”

Instead of the parade, there will be a rally, which he says will be "a sign of pride, hope and freedom."

“The decision to cancel the parade, similar to the reduction of events on Purim and Independence Day, was made after a thorough examination of the issue, in which we listened to the public mood and as a sign of solidarity with the evacuees and the families of the hostages along with the pain of bereaved families,” Israeli news site Mako quoted the municipality’s announcement. “However, out of the municipality’s deep commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the fact that Tel Aviv-Jaffa is the warm home of community in all its shades, Pride Week will be celebrated in June with local events for the community’s target audience.”

Not the first time it was 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.

Huldai’s decision came after a policy was taken to moderate Independence Day celebrations and other ceremonies. Local authorities are also seriously considering how to hold the Remembrance Day and Independence Day events this year, according to the report.