New Jerusalem Pride March route heads towards Knesset under 'Demanding Change' slogan

Jerusalem's annual March for Pride and Tolerance is set to take a new route this year, moving towards the Knesset, Israel's parliament, organizers announced Tuesday. The 24th iteration of the march, held under the slogan “Demanding Change,” aims to call for significant shifts in public discourse and legislation concerning the LGBTQ+ community in Israel.

The new route, approved in coordination with the Jerusalem District Police, will depart from Sacher Park and proceed towards the Rose Garden, passing by the Supreme Court and the Knesset. Organizers stated this change is intended to underscore that the demand for equality requires tangible action from lawmakers, rather than remaining purely symbolic.

This marks a departure from the march's traditional path, which has not followed this route in approximately a decade. The Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance, the organizing body, emphasized that the march will focus on advancing full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, restoring a sense of security for all Israeli citizens, and promoting essential social and legislative changes. The timing during an election year is seen as adding particular civic significance to the event.

The closing rally at the Rose Garden will feature hosts Elad Bar-Noy and Avia Farhi, with speakers including Jerusalem activist Nadav Schwartz, trans activist Nina Halevi, Jerusalem Open House chair Hadas Blomendal, and Association for Civil Rights in Israel executive director Noa Sattath. Musical performances are scheduled at the Sacher Park opening stage, and opposition leader Yair Lapid and MK Naama Lazimi have confirmed their attendance, with invitations extended to all Knesset members.

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the demand for equality is not symbolic, but requires action by decision-makers.