The largest Pride event in the Middle East attracted hundreds of thousands of people celebrating.

Mayor Ron Huldai said: “Welcome to all our guests from abroad to the gay-friendliest city in the world.

“We’ve been through a lot. In 17 years, we’ve achieved a different reality in this city, and also in Israel.

“I want to tell all the politicians, there is still a great deal of legislation that has to be passed to accept the gay community. We will continue to walk this path, and to support the Pride parade.”

Tel Aviv is considered one of Israel’s more progressive cities, compared to the more conservative Jerusalem, which holds a smaller Pride.

Jerusalem football team Hapoel Katamon caused controversy when they replaced the traditional corner flags with rainbow ones during an official match.

The Isreali AIDS Taskforce recently stripped off to encourage HIV testing.