One ultraconservative member of the Israeli government had pledged to abolish the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade.
Another far-right minister with a history of homophobia, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who now oversees the police, is tasked with securing it.
The Jerusalem parade is normally a relatively staid annual tradition.
But the event on Thursday is taking place at a fraught moment, five months after the most hard-line and religiously conservative government in Israel’s history took power.
activists have reported a sharp increase in anti-gay abuse and violence in Israel in recent months, and say that they are expecting a large turnout for this year’s parade and bracing for possible violence.
Persons:
Itamar Ben, Gvir, Ben, ”
Locations:
Jerusalem, Israel