Police disavow restrictions on political messaging at Haifa Pride Parade

After a junior officer from the Haifa police station restricted political messaging at the city’s upcoming pride parade, a spokesperson for the Israel Police announces that the document was distributed “contrary to the policy of the district commander.”

The notice sent yesterday to parade organizers included new conditions that did not appear in the original license for the event granted by police, including a ban on political information booths and flying flags that could “disturb the public peace.”

The parade was initially set to take place in June, but was postponed amid that month’s war with Iran.

The restrictions were met with indignation from organizers of the parade, who petitioned against the regulations in the High Court of Justice earlier today.

Supreme Court Justice Dafna Barak-Erez harshly criticized the police’s conduct, prompting Police Commissioner Danny Levy to launch a probe into the incident, according to Ynet.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also rejects the regulations, calling them “out of place” and claiming they were distributed by a junior officer without the permission of Haifa station commander Eyal Shahar.

“The decision of a (junior) officer to restrict the freedom of political expression at the pride parade is out of place,” he writes on X, but clarifies that it “does not mean people should shame him — these are the same police that saved us on October 7.” He defends Shahar, who is taking flak for the notice, as a “professional and excellent” officer.

Police also stress that the document was distributed without senior officers’ knowledge and in violation of the original license, saying the Coastal District “works in full cooperation and arm-in-arm with the LGBT community and its representatives, out of respect and appreciation.”

But The Aguda, Israel’s foremost LGBT rights group, claims that proposals to limit political expression were also raised by senior officials in the district during discussions leading up to the event, slated to take place this Thursday. The police deny these claims.