The turnout for Jerusalem’s Gay Pride Parade on Thursday was more than three times the expected number, with at least 14,000 people marching.
Tens of thousands of people are dancing and singing at Jerusalem Pride. 🇮🇱🏳️🌈 https://t.co/7YQdGWTIDo
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) August 3, 2017
Some estimates said that up to 22,000 people attended the 16th annual march. Officials had expected some 4,000 participants, according to The Times of Israel.
#LoveIsLove! Great to see the 🌈🌈🌈 out for the #JerusalemPride Parade today! ❤️🇮🇱❤️ @Israel @NirBarkat pic.twitter.com/Bz5HTbdN2A
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) August 3, 2017
Heavy security surrounded the parade, which in 2015 was the scene of a stabbing attack by a Charedi Orthodox man that killed a 16-year-old girl. One thousand police officers and soldiers were deployed to secure the route, The Times of Israel reported.
.@USCGJerusalem staff support #pride and tolerance in #JerusalemPride march today. #Pride2017 pic.twitter.com/SDhHvKbe6I
— U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs (@USPalAffairs) August 3, 2017
Police detained 22 people, one of whom was found to be carrying a knife, they said on Twitter.
Participants in the 16th annual Gay Pride Parade in central Jerusalem, Aug. 3, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
