Hundreds Join Pride March in Mitzpe Ramon Amid Heavy Security and Local Backlash

Hundreds took part on Friday in Mitzpe Ramon’s Pride March under heavy police and security protection, as tensions rose again around the annual event in the southern Israeli town. In the days before the march, and as in previous years, signs opposing the LGBTQ community were posted throughout the town and along the route, after a local council leader linked to the Torani settlement movement and identified with the Noam party took office.

The posters included messages such as “The family wins” and “Honor your father and your mother.” Similar leaflets were also distributed to residents’ mailboxes on Friday morning. In past years, the campaign featured harsher slogans, including “Enough with LGBTQ coercion” and “Family = father and mother.”

Michal Romi, one of the march’s organizers, said the morning began with what should have been “a Pride, tolerance and acceptance day,” but instead saw “a campaign by the Torani community in Mitzpe Ramon trying to intimidate the LGBTQ community.” She said signs excluding same-sex families were hung along the parade route and posters defining the “right” kind of family were spread across the settlement.

“This is a campaign that did not start today, it has been going on against us for years,” Romi said. “We will not let it stop us, and we will continue to promote equality and love for everyone. We plan to march proudly today יחד עם the local community in Mitzpe Ramon and supporters from across the country.” In the days before the march, related notices were also removed from around the town. Another organizer, Anat Brandes, told ynet on Thursday that the atmosphere remained tense and that police were involved, though this year there had been no more severe incidents such as protests, eggs, or punctured tires.