Tel Aviv Pride Parade to be replaced with rally for hostages

Organizers have announced that the Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, Israel will not be held this year in its usual format and instead will focus on “pride, hope and liberty” in honor of the 132 hostages still in terrorist captivity in Gaza.

Mayor Ron Huldai said in a statement, “This is not the time for celebrations,” noting that Israel is experiencing “one of its most difficult periods ever,” according to the Times of Israel.

Huldai added that some of the funds budgeted for the march will be redirected to support the Tel Aviv Municipal LGBT Community Center.

The June 8 event will now focus on the hostages, 128 who Palestinian terrorists kidnapped on October 7, and four who Hamas has held for almost ten years.

Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest. Marco Sermoneta added that the Pride flags in Tel Aviv will have an expanded yellow stripe to call for a return of the hostages held “by the genocidal Palestinian terrorists.”

On Friday, US President Joe Biden proposed new terms for a ceasefire, which was derided for allowing Hamas to stay in power and using American taxpayer money to rebuild Gaza.