Despite concerns about anti-LGBTQ attacks, the Jerusalem Pride Parade ended without incident on Thursday, with some 7,000 participants marching through the streets of the capital.
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Parade organizer Amuna Klein Bar-Noy had been the subject of threats from anti-LGBTQ elements and police arrested one suspect.
A heavy police presence, including thousands of uniformed and undercover officers, was set up along the parade route to protect the marchers and prevent any disturbance to the peace.
The Jerusalem Pride Parade launched the events of Pride Month. Marchers began to assemble at 3 p.m., recited the traveler's prayer, and after Transportation Minister Meirav Michaeli, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, and former Social Equality Minister Meirav Cohen addressed the crowd, they set out toward Paris Square on their way to Independence Park, where the parade would end with performances.
Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy, former Jerusalem Police chief who was the first police commander to approve a pride parade in Jerusalem, announced he would take part in the event. Levy condemned what he called "wild incitement" and hate speech against the LGBTQ community.
"It's important to me to stand up this evening and say out loud – LGBTQ people are equal citizens in Israel and deserve fully equal rights," Levy told the crowd.
Public Security Minister Omer Barlev was greeted by boos when he took the stage, but he continued speaking, telling the audience that "It's a shame that in 2022 so many police are needed to protect you, to protect us. We are in a battle between the enlightened and the primitive … We are defending freedom of expression. Everyone can decide who and what they are."
When Horowitz, who is openly gay, took the stage, the audience called out, "Justice, Equality, Recognition." Horowitz told them: "None of these shouts bothers me, or are turning me away from my path of equality for every person in Israel. Equality for trans people, lesbians, gays, bisexuals. Equality for everyone. That is our answer. Look at the thousands who are here. What an enormous crowd. This audience stands with us against all those primitive people in the Knesset – all those who threatened me that I'd pay with my life if I showed up here. I've come every year since the parade began, and I'll come every year. No one will scare me off, and no one will scare you away."
When Michaeli spoke, some members of the audience called, "End the occupation!"
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