Thousands show
their pride in Tel Aviv

Several thousand activists took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Friday to celebrate Israel's annual gay pride, The Jerusalem Post reported. The parade came two days after the Knesset passed a preliminary reading of a bill that could prevent such demonstrations from taking place.

About 20 right-wing activists protested the event, after police approved the counterdemonstration on the condition that no more than 50 participants attend. The demonstrators held signs that read: "This is an abominable, anti-Semitic march sponsored by the High Court against God!"

When Army Radio asked right-wing leader Itamar Ben-Gvir why he helped organize the protest, he responded that gay people "want to spread abomination in Jerusalem; it won't hurt if we spread some holiness in Tel Aviv."

Mike Hamel, chairman of the National Association of GLBT in Israel, or Aguda, expressed his hope to Agence France-Presse that people came to enjoy what he described as "sand, sun, and lots of fun" in conjunction with a powerful demonstration for equality.

"It's an empowering experience. It's uplifting, and at the same time it's meaningful. It's not just a party. It's not just music and fun. It's a political rally talking about human rights," he explained to AFP. (The Advocate)