Israeli Consulate to pull back presence at NYC Pride
The Israeli Consulate of New York is slimming down its presence at New York City’s Pride march this weekend due to safety concerns and the war in Israel.
The Israeli Consulate of New York is cutting back on its presence at New York City’s Pride march this weekend due to safety concerns and the solemn mood in Israel following months of war, according to the consulate’s spokesperson.
Itay Milner, the consulate’s spokesperson, said in a phone call that a smaller number of representatives from the consulate will walk in the NYC Pride March on Sunday in comparison to years prior, without specifying exact numbers. Milner said that since 2007, “long before LGBTQ rights entered the political mainstream,” hundreds of diplomats, staffers and representatives from the consulate have marched in the event annually.
“This year, in light of the situation in Israel, we are slimming down our delegation to the parade,” Milner said, citing safety concerns as well. “But our commitment to the cause of equality for all remains foremost and unchanged.”
“From Tel Aviv to New York, Israel stands with the LGBTQ community,” he added.
The consulate’s decision was made in light of the monthslong war in Israel, Milner said, prompted by the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks that killed about 1,200 people in the country. In response, the Israeli military has killed more than 37,000 people in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and forced the wide-scale displacement of people living there.
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