ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Some 30,000 Israelis gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday for the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance March in a show of support for the capital's LGBT community amid heavy police presence.

Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023
Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: TZVI JOFFRE)
Participants in the annual Jerusalem pride march on June 1, 2023
Participants in the annual Jerusalem pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Participants in the annual Jerusalem pride march on June 1, 2023
Participants in the annual Jerusalem pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
People take part in an annual Pride parade in Jerusalem, June 1, 2023
People take part in an annual Pride parade in Jerusalem, June 1, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Booths were also set up by NGOs, community organizations and some judicial reform protest leaders, including one booth by Darkenu which sold "I Love Bagatz" [the High Court of Justice] shirts and stickers.

Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023
Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: TZVI JOFFRE)

A group of mothers showed up to the March to offer free hugs to participants with t-shirts reading "everyone needs a parent's love."

Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023
Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: TZVI JOFFRE)

Thousands were seen marching later on Thursday afternoon through the streets of Jerusalem.

Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023
Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023
Israelis march in Jerusalem during the pride march on June 1, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report.