The Pride House of Be’er Sheva in Be’er Sheva, Israel, on Oct. 9, 2024. The banner on the gate reads, “Get them out of hell!” in reference to the hostages who remain in the Gaza Strip. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
TEL AVIV, Israel — The Washington Blade was on assignment in Israel from Oct. 4-14, 2024.
The Blade covered the first anniversary of Oct. 7, and interviewed the cousin of a woman who Hamas militants killed after they kidnapped her and her sister-in-law. The Blade also interviewed the widow of a gay Israel Defense Forces soldier who spearheaded efforts to amend the country’s Bereaved Families Law to recognize LGBTQ widows and widowers of fallen servicemembers.
Activists in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva also spoke with the Blade.
The Israeli government in May banned the Qatar-based network from working in the country, and shut down its bureaus in East Jerusalem and Nazareth, a predominantly Arab city in northern Israel. A judge in June extended the ban for 45 days. Israeli soldiers on Sept. 22 raided Al Jazeera’s bureau in Ramallah, the Palestinian capital, and ordered its closure for 45 days. (Washington Blade screenshot by Michael K. Lavers)
A juice stand at the intersection of Dizengoff Street and Ben-Gurion Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 7, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The 2024 High Heel Race was held on Tuesday. (Washington Blade photo by Giuseppe LoPiccolo)
The 37th annual High Heel Race was held along Frank Kameny Way on 17th Street, N.W. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Thousands of spectators gathered to witness the parade of costumed racers pass by. Kenny Monroe of Maryland won the race.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Giuseppe LoPiccolo)