Tel Aviv Cancels Largest Middle East Pride Parade Over Iran Security Threat

The Tel Aviv Municipality has canceled the scheduled Pride parade due to heightened security threats following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, with anticipated retaliation from Tehran. The parade, one of the largest LGBTQ events in the Middle East, was to be the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which escalated conflict in the Gaza Strip. Concurrently, the U.S. Embassy in Israel announced it will boycott the Pride parade and any associated Pride Month activities, aligning with the Trump administration's shift toward more traditional values and a policy that notably excludes transgender and queer recognition. This change reflects the influence of Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who opposes LGBTQ policies, contrasting with previous U.S. administrations that supported these events. Despite the embassy's absence, transgender Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner arrived in Israel to serve as the parade's guest of honor, emphasizing Israel's openness and the need to improve perceptions of LGBTQ acceptance. The LGBTQ community and advocacy groups have expressed disappointment over the embassy's decision, viewing it as part of a broader rollback of LGBTQ rights under President Trump's administration.