Israel to Host Pride Festival at the Dead Sea, Drawing Criticism From Some Christian Groups

TEL AVIV, DC News — Israel is set to host a large-scale LGBTQ+ festival in the Dead Sea region from June 1 to 4, 2026. The event, titled Pride Land, is being billed as the largest LGBTQ+ festival ever held in the Middle East.

Details of the event were announced through the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official account on X (formerly Twitter). In its post, the ministry said the Dead Sea—widely known as the lowest point on Earth—will serve as the backdrop for a four-day celebration centered on community, connection and diversity.

The festival is spearheaded by producer Aaron Cohen in collaboration with X Production. Cohen said organizers are making a substantial investment to transform the area into a temporary “Pride city.”

“We are building a city from scratch in the middle of the desert, complete with full facilities operating around the clock,” he said in a statement.

The concept for Pride Land includes roughly 15 hotels, beachfront areas, a main performance stage, art and cultural spaces, and family-friendly zones. Scheduled performers include several prominent Israeli artists, among them Dana International—the winner of Eurovision 1998—along with Harel Skaat, Ran Danker, Ivri Lider and a lineup of LGBTQ+ DJs.

Jonathan Gadol, chief executive of X Production, emphasized that the festival is not intended to replace Tel Aviv’s annual Pride parade, long regarded as one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations. Instead, he said, Pride Land is designed to expand Israel’s portfolio of inclusive tourism destinations, particularly in the Dead Sea area, traditionally known for health and nature tourism.

Criticism From Conservative Christian Groups

The choice of location has drawn criticism from some conservative Christian circles, particularly in the United States. The Dead Sea region is often associated with the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah, described in the Book of Genesis as cities destroyed because of grave sin.

Some religious figures have argued that the site selection is insensitive to religious sentiment. Pastor Tom Ascol, a figure within the Southern Baptist Convention, voiced his concerns on social media, addressing Israel’s ambassador to the United States. He said the event could cause unease among conservative Christian communities.

Scholars, however, note that the exact location of Sodom and Gomorrah remains a matter of academic debate. Some archaeologists link the cities to sites such as Bab edh-Dhra and Numeira in the southeastern Dead Sea region, while other theories place them elsewhere.

Israel and LGBTQ+ Issues in the Middle East

Israel is often regarded as having more liberal policies toward LGBTQ+ individuals than other countries in the Middle East. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1988, and a number of civil protections for same-sex couples have since been implemented, though same-sex civil marriage is not fully recognized domestically.

Tel Aviv regularly hosts international Pride parades that attract hundreds of thousands of participants each year. According to Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, the event is also a major draw for international visitors.

Even so, large-scale events like Pride Land face ongoing challenges, including regional security concerns and domestic political dynamics. In previous instances, Pride-related events in Israel have been canceled or modified due to security conditions.

Organizers said ticket sales and accommodation packages will open soon, including premium options featuring stays at hotels around the Dead Sea. []