An LGBT Festival In The Shadow Of Sodom: What 'Pride Land' Symbolizes For Israel

A celebration is rising in one of the most haunting places on earth--and for many watching, it feels less like progress and more like a warning echoing from the past. In early June 2026, thousands are expected to gather along the shores of the Dead Sea for "Pride Land," a four-day festival billed as the largest LGBT celebration the Middle East has ever seen. Organizers promise a temporary "Pride City" in the Judean Desert-- complete with hotels, beach venues, music stages, and even family-friendly programming. Israel's official government channels have promoted it with a striking phrase: "Pride rises at the...