Several anti-government demonstrators were barred from joining the Tel Aviv Pride Parade on Friday, videos posted on social media showed.
N12 News reported that the demonstrators had arrived with protest shirts and anti-government signs. Those wearing clothing with messages advocating against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were asked by police to go outside
A video from the parade shows a woman wearing a pride-themed shirt reading FCK BNGVR and arguing with police officers.
"What, because of the shirt?" the cameraman is heard saying, to which an officer responded, "Yes, you already knew in advance and brought a camera."
When the demonstrators continued to argue, the police officer told them, "You're allowed to say whatever you want, but not in this area."
Protester barred from Pride Parade even after removing anti-government shirt
The cameraman accused the officers of acting like cowards, while the woman wearing the shirt attempted to take it off and put it in her bag in order to be allowed into the parade.
A second video showed the woman still not being permitted to enter the area of the parade, even without the shirt.
Pride parade a symbol of democracy
"Even at the Pride Parade, you can't walk around in a bathing suit," the woman said, adding, "Amazing, democracy."
Another participant claimed that police prevented her partner from entering because he was wearing a shirt with the slogan "You are the head - you are to blame."
"This is a democratic country, and I can enter the protest area with signs and T-shirts," one protester claimed, calling the police's actions "illegal."
Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv Chen Arieli had praised the parade as a "civic statement for a strong democracy in Israel" during a time when there are people attempting to "weaken democracy, violate human rights, and repeatedly label various groups in society as domestic enemies."
Ahead of the Jerusalem Pride Parade earlier this month, event organizers had warned Police Commissioner Daniel Levy that officers might attempt to confiscate any anti-Ben-Gvir items, citing incidents from last year's celebrations, according to N12.
Levy had called the confiscations a mistake, arguing that "police are not supposed to intervene in protest content against any particular minister.”