From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Pride parade participants bring political message to march on Knesset
Thousands are marching to the Knesset in Jerusalem under heavy security as part of the city’s annual LGBTQ Pride March.
The march’s route is different from that of past years and has taken a distinctly more political tone, with a large contingent of marchers calling to replace the current, right-wing government.
Participants sport pride memorabilia, waving gay and transgender flags while chanting “democracy” to the beat of drums.
Several at the front of the procession hold ballot boxes, marching with a banner that reads: “Choosing a liberal Israel.”
At Jerusalem's pride march, participants chant "democracy" while holding ballot boxes in a procession to the Knesset pic.twitter.com/pHb2zT3QaI
— charlie summers (@cbsu03) June 4, 2026
Thousands of police and Border Police officers have been deployed to secure the march route, which is completely sealed to outsiders amid worries about anti-LGBTQ violence.
Meanwhile, a small group of counterprotesters with the far-right Lehava group who have set up camp across the street chant, “Jerusalem is not Sodom.”
The Times of Israel Community.