Police Commissioner Danny Levy met with representatives of Israel’s LGBTQ+ community on Sunday, reaffirming the Israel Police’s commitment to ensuring that Pride Month events throughout June are held safely and securely.
In a message posted on Telegram, Levy emphasized the police’s dedication to protecting participants’ right to celebrate and gather freely.
Levy said the police would take all necessary measures to ensure Pride Month events proceed without disruption.
“We will do everything necessary so that everyone who takes part in the events can celebrate in complete safety, without fear and without interference,” he said. “We will not allow manifestations of violence, incitement, hatred, or harm of any kind.”
Levy added that the Israel Police views the protection of freedom of expression as a core responsibility and has instructed an increase in the number of officers designated to liaise with the LGBTQ+ community.
Yael Sinai Biblash, CEO of The Aguda – The Association for LGBTQ+ Equality in Israel, welcomed the meeting and praised Levy’s engagement with the community.
“Within two years, we are meeting you for the third time, and this tells us how seriously you, as Police Commissioner, take the issue of the LGBTQ+ community,” she said.
Pride parade returns to original format
June 1 marks the start of month-long Pride celebrations, with the Tel Aviv Pride Parade scheduled for June 12. The parade will return to its traditional route and format this year after being canceled in 2025, while a scaled-back Pride and Hope Rally was held in 2024 following the October 7 attacks. Marking its 28th anniversary, the event will proceed along the Shlomo Lahat Promenade before concluding at Charles Clore Park.
Festivities are set to begin on June 1 at the Dead Sea with the Pride Land festival, billed by organizers as the largest LGBTQ+ festival ever held in the Middle East. Running through June 4, the event will feature cultural and arts complexes, relaxation and recreation areas, and family-focused programming, including children’s activities, workshops, and tailored events for all ages.
Organizers say they aim to create a multigenerational “Pride City” rather than simply host a large-scale party.
“This is not just another festival, it’s the biggest thing we’ve done here,” said Aaron Cohen, the festival’s founder and lead producer.
Rome Pride organizers exclude Jewish LGBTQ+ organization
The celebrations come amid growing tensions over Israel’s standing abroad. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post’s Michael Starr, organizers of the Rome Pride parade, scheduled for late June, barred the Jewish LGBTQ+ organization Keshet Italia from participating after the group declined to characterize Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
Against that backdrop, organizers and community leaders say this year’s events will serve not only as a celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and visibility but also as a demonstration of resilience and solidarity amid heightened domestic and international scrutiny.
