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Tel Aviv, Israel defies virus to party with Pride

Israel has a large LGBTQ community but still does not recognise same-sex marriages

Daniella Cheslow
Fri, June 25, 2021,

Thousands partied in the streets of Tel Aviv on Friday at the city's first Pride event since the Covid pandemic, with many ignoring Israeli government pleas to wear masks amid a surge in infections.

Extravagantly costumed revellers danced on colourful floats under rainbow banners, in a parade stretching from the city centre along the beach towards the ancient port of Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish quarter.

"We have come to celebrate our love and to continue to fight for our rights," said Shalev, giving only his first name, as carnival floats drove slowly through the packed crowds, with dancers waving pink flags along to thumping trance music.

Organisers called it the "largest parade of its kind held worldwide since the outbreak of Covid-19", with local government estimating at least 100,000 people took part.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai hailed the event's return, saying in a statement that Pride events were "a long-standing tradition, centred on a message of equality, acceptance, and human and civil rights."

The parade began at midday (0900 GMT), the same time a health ministry requirement for masks to be worn in most indoor spaces came back into effect just 10 days after it was lifted.

Despite the ministry's call for masks to be worn at large outdoor gatherings, an AFP reporter saw few among the thousands of party-goers.

- 'Stay safe' -

"I'm very happy," said Mai Truman, a 28-year-old student who came from the nearby town of Rehovot to support his friends in Israel's LGBTQ community.

"It feels like there's no corona, it feels like we finished," said Truman, who was not wearing a mask.

The last Tel Aviv Pride in 2019 drew a quarter of a million party-goers.

With Israel still largely closed to tourists due to the pandemic, this year's march was smaller -- but the celebrations were just as enthusiastic.

Nuphar Siman-Tov, 22, said she came to Tel Aviv Pride "to support friends and family".

She wore a mask and, like more than half of Israelis, has had two vaccinations.

"I'm trying to do the maximum I can to stay safe," she said.

Another person wearing a face mask was Lin Xiaoxi, a 33-year-old foreign student at Tel Aviv University.

"It is quite different from China," Lin said.

- 'Not just a party' -

One man shot a water gun from his terrace to provide cooling relief for the demonstrators in the Mediterranean sunshine below.

Some revellers wore bathing suits while others cooled themselves with rainbow-striped hand fans.

Ofir, 20, stood under the water gun stream with friends.

She asked AFP not to use her second name, as she is a soldier and a lesbian.

"Pride is not just a party," she said, a rainbow painted on her eyelids. "It's a protest."

She said she wanted Israel to legalise same-sex marriage and ease rules for same-sex couples to raise children.

"We are part of the people," she added.

Israel has the most open attitude to homosexuality in the Middle East, with a large and influential gay community, particularly in Tel Aviv.

But the country also has a large and highly conservative ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, and a new governing coalition headed by Naftali Bennett includes parties with socially conservative platforms.

Far-right lawmaker Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party called Friday's march "a great blasphemy".

The Islamic conservative Raam party released a campaign video earlier this year calling LGBTQ people "deviants".

A 2015 Pride event in Jerusalem ended in tragedy when an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man stabbed a 16-year-old girl to death and wounded several others.

Righteousness2:
These ones are the sons and Daughters of Belai in Israel..
These are the descendants of Ahab, Jeroboam and wicked Abominable kings.

It does not Matter if you are in Israel or Jerusalem, GOD is no Respecter of Persons..

Why you Nigerian Christians fail to understand who Jews are seems a mystery

They claim their god gave them a land, yet migrated to Africa or Egypt to become slaves, they even sold each others (story of Jacob)

Moses born and brought up in Africa tried rescuing them using all sort of magics killing Egyptian, till they were freed

They travelled a distance of Lagos to Abuja for 40 years according to their story

Got to another man's land and claimed it while Solomon and David fought killing people to conquer more territory

Went to Europe, got killed (5million massacred) and sent back by Europeans after everyone rejected them , Palestinians that took them back are now being bombed while Europeans praised


They crucified and murdered the son of their god for only helping and healing them

Jews , Chinese, Ipobians, and Fulanis are all similar in character

.

Hamas terrorists will be like "Allah punish that Israeli scientist
that developed Iron Dome defense system, see infidels for free rocket launching practice".

I’ve seen Arab fagz
Never knew there are Jewish fagz too, thought the Jewish community are these holier than thou folks
Any which way sha Make una fly una flag

Na wa!!!
Can't wait for "The Unity" sha... the time is now!! May God bless his arrival!
O ma loud gaan (God willing)

A large crowd sha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr7xWrRpLOw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks3gYxlBSvM

Righteousness2:
Abomination, Rebellion and evil in GOD'S Land.
These ones are the few sons and Daughters of Belai in Israel..
These are the descendants of Ahab, Jeroboam and other wicked Abominable kings that led Israel to Whoredom.
These are the Group of people in Israel that provoke God's Wrath in Israel since Bible days.
The times of Jacob's (Israel) trouble is at Hand. The Rebellious and Stubborn ones will be dealt with.

Something Huge is set to Happen.
I won't be Suprised if an Earthquake hits Israel

It does not Matter if you are in Israel or Jerusalem, GOD is no Respecter of Persons..
GOD Will Invest his wrath on them..

They are God chosen And beloved Na!

chiiraq802:
Hamas terrorists will be like "Allah punish that Israeli scientist
that developed Iron Dome defense system, see infidels for free rocket launching practice".

hush nigga

Talk about how your so called chosen people are parading LGBT

God chosen people indeed

Lol