Woman barred from entering Tel Aviv Pride Parade over anti-Ben Gvir slogan on her shirt

Police deny a woman entry to Tel Aviv’s LGBTQ Pride Parade because the shirt she is wearing expresses aversion to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, in an apparent attempt to suppress political speech at Pride events.

Emblazoned on the woman’s tank top is a rainbow over the words “FCK BNGVR,” a slogan commonly used by opponents of the far-right politician, who oversees law enforcement in his ministerial role.

After she is refused entry, the woman takes off her shirt in front of the officers, puts it in her bag and tries to pass through. According to Haaretz, police nevertheless refuse to let her enter.

למי שמחפש את משטרת בן גביר: היא נמצאת עכשיו בפינת הרחובות הירקון ופרישמן בתל אביב, בודקת שלטים וחולצות של הנכנסים למצעד הגאווה ומצנזרת מה שלא נראה לה. וכמובן מצלמת את מי שמעז למחות.
אגב בניגוד לפסיקת בג"ץ,
בניגוד להבטחות המפכ"ל בעצמו. pic.twitter.com/cGM3zL1sFv

— Josh Breiner (@JoshBreiner) June 12, 2026

The outlet reports that officers stationed at checkpoints along the march route’s perimeter have been checking the belongings of participants, confiscating signs with political messages.

The officers’ behavior seems to be at odds with a High Court ruling from last year, in which a judge unequivocally shot down “illegal” police directives barring political expression during Pride festivities in Haifa.

At last year’s Pride March in Jerusalem, a progressive group handing out merchandise ahead of the parade was ordered by police to remove anti-war messaging from their stand.