Upwards of 30,000 march in Jerusalem Pride parade
WDG is the Washington Blade’s media partner in Israel. WDG originally published this article on Friday. JERUSALEM — Upwards of 30,000 people on Thursday marched in the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade, which marked the beginning of Pride month in Israel.
The parade, organized by the Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance, began with the traditional gathering at Gan Happamon.
Many politicians also came to support and encourage the marchers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who chairs the Yesh Atid party, in his speech referred to the counterprotest the Lahava movement organized near the parade’s starting point.
Several dozen LGBTQ and intersex rights opponents participated in the protest. “Outside are standing, like every year, the wretched thugs of Lahava movement, demonstrating against us,” said Lapid. “Only this year these people are no longer just a ridiculous bunch of dark extremists — they are part of the government.
