Israel holds annual gay pride parade

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 8 (UPI) -- Some 3,000 gay rights activists marched through the streets of Tel Aviv Friday for Israel's annual gay pride parade.

The marchers handed out condom-shaped flowers as they headed from Rabin Square to the boardwalk at Gordon Beach, Ynetnews reported.

One participant dressed as Marie Antoinette said he had come Paris to take part in the march.

The marchers were met by a group of right-wing activists who obtained police approval to hold a small counterdemonstration.

Some 500 police officers and volunteers were positioned along the parade route to keep order.

This year's parade comes amid rising controversy over efforts by gay activists to hold a gay pride parade in Jerusalem.

"They want to spread abomination in Jerusalem," activist Itamar Ben Gvir told the Jerusalem Post.

Earlier this week, the Knesset gave preliminary approval to measures preventing a gay pride parade in Jerusalem or any other place in the country.