Tel Aviv Pride in pictures: Over 170k Israelis celebrate LGBT+ rights

Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Friday in celebration of Pride Month, as the event approached the pre-pandemic numbers.

Now in its 23rd year, over 170,000 people took part in the parade, according to city officials, with the streets of Tel Aviv filled with colourful Pride flags.

The events in 2020 and 2021 were very much muted by Covid-19 restrictions, but this year the festivities returned to full force, with a number of major roads through Tel Aviv closed throughout the day.

Revellers wore colourful outfits, waved rainbow flags, and danced to music in the sweltering heat as floats made their way through the city.

🚨 @IGGYAZALEA performing today in Tel Aviv, Israel 💙

Iggy Azalea performed ‘Is That Right’, ‘Problem’, ‘Goddess’, ‘Impossible Is Nothing’, ‘IATSC’, ‘Fancy’, ‘Black Widow’ + more! #IggyAzalea #TelAviv #TelAvivPride #PrideMonth #Pride2022 pic.twitter.com/nYn0Ze51kB
— IGGY REPORT (@iggyreport) June 10, 2022

A spokesperson for Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai told France 24: "Tel Aviv has always been and will always be a welcoming home to all trans people, lesbians, gay men, queer people and non-binary folks.

"Here they will always matter, here they are always welcome."

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea performed for the crowds in the late afternoon alongside a host of Israeli stars, taking the stage in Hayarkon Park.

When asked about the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) campaign in an interview with Israel's Channel 12, Azalea reportedly responded: "BDS? What is that? Cause I don't know much, but I'm really happy to come and see for myself, I'm excited to experience something new."

She added: "I know a lot of my fans belong to the LGBT community and I feel a special connection to them. I think maybe it's because I was an outsider, that I came a long way from being an underdog, maybe it's something they can identify with."