Israel to host pride festival at Dead Sea – near infamous Sodom and Gomorrah 

Israel will host a multi-day LGBTQ festival this June, with promises of transforming the Dead Sea – a key tourist and Christian pilgrimage destination – into “Pride Land,” drawing criticism from conservatives.

“Pride rises at the lowest place on earth,” the official Israel X account stated in a post. “This June the Dead Sea becomes Pride Land, the biggest LGBTQ+ festival ever in the Middle East. Four days of nonstop celebration, community and connection.”

The festival advertises “family friendly” events, performances and activities that will run 24 hours a day, June 1-4, according to The Jerusalem Post. Organizers have already booked 15 hotels and invested millions of dollars in preparations, according to Aaron Cohen, the event’s main producer and initiator.

Conservatives reacted strongly on social media after the announcement was made.

Matt Walsh, a popular conservative commentator, called the announcement “evil and disgusting.”

Foundation to Abolish Abortion President Bradley Pierce quoted Leviticus 18:22 in response to the announcement: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”

“Yes, this post is real. Yes, they really are celebrating sodomy at the location where God destroyed Sodom with fire and brimstone,” he said. “God will not be mocked.”

“Why here? They are mocking God,” posted Father Michael Lillie, an Orthodox priest in Youngstown, Ohio.

The salt-resort destination aims to extend pride celebrations outside the typical location of Tel Aviv, and organizers hope the Dead Sea will become “a permanent destination for LGBT tourists,” according to The Jerusalem Post. Tel Aviv has hosted a pride week, with a designated parade, for more than three decades.