US Embassy Branch In Tel Aviv Decorated For Pride Parade Despite Trump Ban

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
JERUSALEM (JTA) — The U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv decorated its building with rainbow flag banners for the city’s Pride parade, ignoring a Trump administration ban on flying the Pride flag at diplomatic missions.
A photo of the building decked out in two rainbow banners and rainbow streamers was published on the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem’s official Twitter account on Thursday.
“The U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv is ready for the PRIDE parade tomorrow!” the tweet said.
Prior to Pride Month, the Trump administration issued an official ban on U.S. embassies flying the signature rainbow flag on their flagpoles. Four U.S. embassies reportedly were explicitly denied permission to fly a Pride flag, including Israel. The other three are Germany, Brazil and Latvia.
“(W)hen it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies, and capitals around the world, one American flag flies,” Vice President Mike Pence told NBC news earlier this week when asked about the ban.
U.S. diplomats in Jerusalem reportedly joined the city’s Pride parade last week, according to Haaretz.
The U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv is ready for the PRIDE parade tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/pmc50wBli8
— USEmbassyJerusalem (@usembassyjlm) June 13, 2019
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
