Israel’s city of Tel Aviv cancelled the Pride Festival, including the Pride Parade scheduled for the weekend, citing concerns over potential retaliation against Israel against Iran’s nuclear and military targets that began on June 13th.
The air attack, part of Operation Raisinglion, involved 200 Israeli fighter jets targeting almost 100 locations in Iran, including nuclear enrichment facilities and hiding locations for Iranian military leaders.
Israel has argued that the Air Force is needed to prevent Iran from moving forward with efforts to build atomic weapons, but experts and the US government previously determined that such efforts were already underway prior to the strike. Associated Press.
Iran then retaliated by launching ballistic missiles in Israel, urging Israeli forces to evacuate during an ongoing air raid between the two countries.
So far, 24 people have been killed and more than 500 have been injured in Israel, while Iran’s estimated death toll is at least 224, with thousands more injured.
Tel Aviv’s Pride Parade, scheduled for Friday, which is the biggest event in the Middle East, usually attracts thousands of swallows to LGBTQ-friendly cities. Israel is the only country in the region that recognizes same-sex private unions and allows same-sex couples to adopt one of the few countries outside Jordan where same-sex activities are not criminalised. However, despite the efforts of “Pink Wash,” conservative allies that form part of the right-wing Likud government and the Congress’s governing alliance have sought to cut LGBTQ rights.
The Tel Aviv Pride Parade, scheduled for Friday, is the largest such event in the Middle East, attracting thousands of swallows to LGBTQ-friendly cities.
Israel is the only country in the region that recognizes same-sex private unions and allows same-sex couples to adopt, and is one of the few countries along with Jordan, where same-sex activities are not criminalised.
However, despite ongoing “Pink Wash” efforts, its conservative allies in the right-wing Likud government and the government’s parliamentary coalition have sought to cut down certain LGBTQ rights.
The Pride Organizer had invited former Olympian and conservative mouthpiece Cait Lynn Jenner as a guest of festive honors. However, following the cancellation, the 75-year-old transgender firebrand left Israel via its border with Jordan. The era of Israel.
The parade was the first in Tel Aviv since before October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked music festivals in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
but, The era of Israel Reportthe streets of Tel Aviv were virtually a ghost town following the cancellation. Dozens of people sunbathed, played soccer, strolled down city streets and beaches, sponsored nearby businesses that remained open, but many shops are closed.
“There’s no one,” said a man named Victor, who owns a flower shop at the entrance to the open air carmel market, not far from the parade route. The era.
Many supermarkets were busy as Israelis tried to preserve the basic necessities needed if they were forced to evacuate for a long period of time due to the expected Iranian missile attack.
According to YnetNewsHomefront Command – Israeli Defense Force Unit responsible for civil protection – issued guidelines to advise Israelis on how to respond to Iran’s missile attacks. All educational activities and public gatherings have been suspended to minimize potential casualties. Public transport has been reduced, with major bus routes running limited routes, prioritizing hospitals and other critical infrastructure.
Homefront Command Chief General Rafimiro warned of long alerts and urged him to stay close to protected areas such as bunkers, reinforcement rooms, shelters and other safe spaces in the event of a nearby missile strike. The military emphasizes that vigilance is key to ensuring public safety.
The National Security Council also issued overseas recommendations to Israeli citizens, warning them of publicly publishing Jews and Israeli symbols in public for fear of retaliation, recommending them avoiding crowded events and refraining from sharing travel details on social media.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
