Occupation of the Dead Sea: Israeli arrangements to launch the largest LGBTQ+ festival in the region

Attention is turning to the Dead Sea region in June 2026, as the Israeli occupation state prepares to launch the 'Pride Land' festival, classified as the largest demonstration for the LGBTQ+ community in the Middle East. According to Hebrew press sources, this event aims to transform the desert region into a vibrant celebratory hub, in a move that reflects the occupation's efforts to enhance its image in this context.

The festival's construction plan includes preparing a vast space comprising about 15 hotels, a group of beach resorts, and large event halls. The central arena dedicated to artistic and musical performances will operate around the clock, providing a comprehensive experience for participants expected to flock from different areas, amidst significant logistical reinforcements in the heart of the desert.

In addition to the celebratory aspects, the festival organizers seek to integrate cultural and artistic dimensions through dedicated complexes and diverse workshops. The organizers also plan to allocate spaces for families, including children's activities, in an attempt to present a model of a 'gay city' that brings together multiple generations in one environment, as confirmed by the production team.

For his part, Aaron Cohen, the main producer and founder of the project, stated that the investments allocated for this festival amounted to millions of dollars, including the complete acquisition of hotel facilities for several days. Cohen pointed out that the goal is to build an integrated city from scratch that provides a vibrant experience starting from morning tranquility to the hustle and bustle of musical celebration nights.

This Israeli move seeks to establish the Dead Sea region as a global and permanent tourist destination for the LGBTQ+ community, and to expand the scope of these events beyond their traditional center in Tel Aviv. The organizers confirm that the choice of this strategic location aims to enhance tourist presence in new geographical areas, with a focus on attracting diverse categories of tourists under the guise of entertainment events.

We invested millions of dollars, bought entire hotels for four days, and built a city from scratch in the heart of the desert.