The annual Tel Aviv Pride Parade began on Friday morning, beginning at 11 p.m. on Shalag Street, near Gordon Beach, with the route passing along the city’s promenade before ending at Charles Clore Park.
Tel Aviv’s mayor, Ron Huldai, announced at the start of the march that it “represents exactly how all of Israel needs to look – equal, inclusive, and loving.
“The city of Tel Aviv-Yafo is a warm home for all the communities that live there and is proud to be a groundbreaking city in relation to the LGBT community and a global source of inspiration, and we will march again this year to continue the struggle for full equality for every citizen,” he added.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid posted a message in support of the LGBT community on X/Twitter as the parade began.
“As long as “homo” or “trans” is a curse in schools, as long as a lesbian walks the streets feeling unsafe, as long as there is a girl or boy who are afraid to come out of the closet – we have a duty to change reality for them,” he wrote.
כל עוד ״הומו״ או ״טרנסית״ היא קללה בבתי ספר, כל עוד לסבית מסתובבות לא בטוחה ברחוב, כל עוד יש ילדה או ילד שמפחדים לצאת מהארון – יש לנו תפקיד לשנות את המציאות בשבילם.
להט״בים – תהיו גאים. יש לכם על מה. אני איתכם. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🇮🇱— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) June 12, 2026
“LGBT – be proud. You have reason to. I’m with you.”
Chen Arieli, deputy mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and chair of the Israel Gay Youth society, also spoke ahead of the Pride Parade, saying that this year more than ever it served as a reminder that achievements should not be taken for granted.
“In days when some seek to weaken democracy, violate human rights, and repeatedly mark different groups in society as internal enemies, the Pride Parade is a clear civic declaration for a strong democracy in Israel,” she stated.
“The LGBTQ+ community has fought for decades to secure basic rights, recognition, and safety. This struggle has never been only about LGBTQ+ issues. It has always been a fight over the character of Israeli society as a whole. This year we also march for those still waiting for full equality, for young people seeking a safe place to be themselves, for families still fighting for recognition, and for a country where no one should fear because of who they love or who they are.
“Pride is the choice to be seen, to speak out, and to fight for a better future,” Arieli concluded. “Tomorrow we will march in pride, remember the journey we have shared for the rights already won, and continue marching until equality becomes a reality for everyone.”
Democrats MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv announced that he, along with other representatives from the Democrats party, was at the parade.
הדמוקרטים כאן, במצעד הגאווה בתל אביב.
עומדים בגאווה מול הכהניסטים.
עומדים בגאווה מול ההומופובים.
עומדים בגאווה גם מול המתקרנפים.
בואו לצעוד איתנו למען השוויון, הסובלנות, הדמוקרטיה והשלום.פרישמן פינת הרברט סמואל. pic.twitter.com/ydnPBLZbt9
— גלעד קריב (@KarivGilad) June 12, 2026
“Standing proudly in front of the Kahanists. Standing proudly in front of the homophobes. And standing proudly in front of the cowards,” he wrote on X/Twitter. “Come march with us for equality, tolerance, democracy, and peace.”
Police on high alert as planned attack against LGBT community averted
Israel Police announced that over 1,000 police officers, undercover and Border Police officers, and volunteers will be deployed throughout the event to ensure the safety and security of all participants. Special units, including the Israel Police’s air and maritime units, will also be deployed.
As the event began, police announced that they had averted a planned attack against the LGBT community, arresting a 37-year-old suspect in Haifa.
“They were destroyed once, it’s about time they were destroyed again,” the man had written on social media. “Sick people, disgusting.”
Police sources said security plans for the event were developed in coordination with production parties, the Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality, MDA, and others.
As part of this, police have said that the entry of two-wheeled vehicles of any kind, weapons, glass bottles, alcohol, and animals (except for guide dogs in training or on duty) to the parade and the party at Charles Clore Park will be prohibited.
Police close roads for Pride event
Police have closed off roads throughout Tel Aviv to accommodate the event, Israeli media reported.
Earlier this week, police announced which roads would be closed, including:
Rokach Boulevard: westbound, starting at Ibn Gabirol Street.
Hayarkon Street: southbound, starting at Jabotinsky Street, and northbound from Yosef Halevi Street to J. L. Gordon Street.
Herbert Samuel Street: southbound from Shalag Street to Yehezkel Kaufman Street, including service roads.
Yehezkel Kaufman Street: northbound from Eilat Street to Yosef Halevi Street.
Nahum Goldmann Street: northbound from Eilat Street to Yosef Halevi Street, and from Yossi Carmel Square (Clock Square) to Kaufman.
Eilat Street: westbound from Eliphelet Street.
Eliphelet Street: northbound from Derekh Shalma.
Derekh Shalma: westbound from Eliphelet Street.
Mapu Street: from Yeho’ash Street to Hayarkon Street.
Frishman Street: from Dizengoff Street to Herbert Samuel Street.
Trumpeldor Street: from Ben Yehuda Street to Herbert Samuel Street.
Ness Ziona Street: from Ben Yehuda Street to Hayarkon Street.
Ge’ula Street: from HaKovshim Street to Herbert Samuel Street.
Nechemiah Street: from HaKovshim Street to Herbert Samuel Street.
Carmelit Street: from HaKovshim Street to Hayarkon Street.
Israel Police added that additional streets may be closed during the event to ensure it can take place safely.
It added that no parking will be allowed along the parade route and recommended using public transportation.
