Thousands of Israelis were expected to attend Tel Aviv’s annual Pride Parade on Friday, with police urging Israelis not to enter the city by vehicle unless absolutely necessary.
The festival program will start in the afternoon and will end around 7 pm
Participants in this year’s parade will march on Rokach Boulevard in the city’s north instead of the traditional route in central Tel Aviv. The change was reportedly due to extensive construction work across the city as part of the new light rail system.
The march will begin at the Sportek complex in Yarcon Park and continue up Rocach Boulevard until reaching the part of the park where the main stage will be set up.
Police said the section of Rocach Boulevard between Sheetrite and Ibn Gabirol streets would be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Bani Ephraim \ KKL Junction will remain blocked from 5:30 am to 6 pm; Namir Road will be blocked from Glilot Junction to Shlomo Goren Street from 5:30 am to 2:30 pm and Rokach Interchange will be blocked from 5:30 am to 6 pm.
Ayalon Highway (Road 20) will be open for traffic throughout the day.
Thousands attend the annual Gay Pride Parade in Tel Aviv on June 25, 2021. (Miriam Ulster/Flash 90)
Police noted that parking would be restricted throughout the parade route on Rocach Boulevard and advised the public to use one of the many parking spots in Tel Aviv and surrounding cities.
Those planning to participate were asked to use public transport to decongest the area. From 5 pm onwards, special buses will leave from Rochach Boulevard every 15 minutes for the nearby suburbs of Givatayim, Ramat Hasharon and Holon.
Before the parade, Public Safety Minister Omar Barlev said that the police and Tel Aviv Municipality have taken measures to ensure the safety of the participants.
“The Pride Parade in Tel Aviv is a holiday for the LGBTQ+ community, symbolizing the uniqueness and openness of the city and the great respect Israel gives to the world,” Barlev said during a situation assessment on Thursday. “Israel Police, together with Tel Aviv Municipality, is ready to hold an appropriate and safe parade.”
“I call on all who are willing to come and participate in this special celebration in Tel Aviv. Your safety is in good hands.”
Public Security Minister Omar Barlev attends a faction meeting in the Knesset on June 6, 2022. (Yontan Sindel/Flash90)
According to the municipality, last year’s events marked the “largest parade of its kind held around the world since the outbreak of COVID-19”, and attracted nearly 100,000 people.
Police said last year they arrested around 50 suspects throughout the day, including many who had allegedly tried to harm tens of thousands of people at the mass festival.
Pride parades in Israel are held in heavy police presence, especially since 2015 when an ultra-Orthodox extremist stabbed 16-year-old Shira Banki to death during a parade in Jerusalem.
