From the Liveblog of
Friday, June 13, 2025
‘There are no people’: With Pride parade scrapped amid Iran tensions, Tel Aviv appears a shadow of itself
Birds chirp and waves gush throughout the breezy bike ride down Tel Aviv’s beach — a far cry from the human masses and thumping beats expected at the Pride parade, which was canceled due to Israel’s attack in Iran.
Municipal workers sweat as they dismantle unused stages that were set up along the parade’s path. A fisherman sits in silence on the rocks behind a stage at Charles Clore park, which would have at that this hour boasted some of Israel’s biggest stars.
Several dozen people have taken advantage of the unexpected serenity to sunbathe, smoke and play soccer on the sand.
Others flock to the few eateries and flower shops that decided to open for business. Most shops, especially clothing, jewelry and bookstores, appear shuttered.
Supermarkets, however, were packed, as Israelis sought to store up on basic necessities in case of a long stint in safe rooms.
The Carrefour supermarket chain opened at 6 a.m. today — an hour earlier than usual — and saw four times the number of usual customers, the retailer said, adding that it had called in extra staff and saw a spike in sales of bottled water and hygiene products.
Meanwhile, commerce at the open-air Carmel market, near the Tel Aviv beach, falls far short of its usual traffic on a Friday, even without the Pride parade.
“There are no people,” says Victor, who owns a flower shop at the entrance to the open-air Carmel market, not far from the route of the parade.
Because of the parade, he brought double the usual stock of flowers to sell, says Victor, chuckling at the irony.
Victor has access to a safe room at his place of business. Asked if he had thought to stay closed today, he says: “Not for a minute. I’m self-employed, I have no choice.”
The tense security situation does not appear to have sparked panic on the streets. Pedestrians can be seen walking slowly back from the beach, stopping for a cold drink and a bite to eat where possible. Some sit and chat on picnic tables outside shuttered kiosks.
Racquel, a tourist from Chile who arrived in Yel Aviv yesterday after a few days in Jerusalem, seems unperturbed. “We knew we were coming to Israel and that there would be problems,” she says.
The Times of Israel Community.