JERUSALEM — Jerusalem’s 21st gay pride parade, held Thursday with some 30,000 participants, was especially political this year with leaders of the opposition taking the stage to defend Israel’s democratic values.
The parade took place under heavy societal tensions. Tragic memories of the 2015 murder of 16-year-old Shira Banki by an ultra-Orthodox zealot during that year's gay pride march hovered over everything. This year, however, concerns were compounded by the ongoing protests against the current government. As such, thousands of uniformed and undercover police officers were stationed along the route of the parade several hours before the event even began.
Several politicians identified with homophobic and anti-gay stances hold key positions in the current government, making this year’s parade especially tense. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich both have played active roles in past demonstrations and other activities protesting Jerusalem Pride events. As ministers, they have been trying to downplay this image, but only partially. The return to the government of Deputy Minister Avi Maoz, leader of the small anti-LGBTQ Noam party, only added to the sense of urgency.
The coalition of the ultra-Orthodox and far-right extremists pushing for a judicial coup was present in every speech and every poster in this week’s Jerusalem parade.
