Last-Minute Deal Lets Jewish LGBTQ Group March in Rome Pride Under Heavy Security

A compromise reached just hours before Rome’s Pride parade on Saturday ended a boycott of the Italian Jewish LGBTQ group Keshet Italia, allowing it to march under heavy police protection. The breakthrough was announced at a press conference in Rome by representatives of the organization. Officials said the enhanced security was needed after group members were attacked last year by pro-Palestinian protesters.

The deal came after Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri personally intervened and mediated between the sides. Under the agreement, starting next year, Keshet representatives will become a regular, structured part of the parade’s steering and coordination committee, a move intended to prevent similar exclusion attempts in the future.

The dispute escalated at the end of May, when parade organizers sparked international outrage by making Keshet’s participation conditional on signing a political manifesto that described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide.” Keshet Italia refused, and organizers then barred it from bringing a float or marching as an official delegation. The decision drew strong criticism and accusations of antisemitism and discrimination, including from senior members of the European Parliament.

About three weeks ago, Keshet Italia president Ariel Heller told Kan News’ Haolam HaYom that the organizers had asked them to sign a declaration, “a manifesto about Palestinian resistance.” He said, “I asked them whether that also related to the rape incidents, but they stayed vague on that issue, while also talking about ‘genocide.’” Heller added that the group’s position was clear from the start: “We are a Jewish queer organization in Italy, so we deal with the antisemitism our local community faces. Of course, we feel close to the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians, but that is not our mandate.” He also said the words “genocide” directly affect Jews, and called the exclusion from this year’s parade “a shame for the global community.”