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Gay Pride 2013: Tel Aviv, Israel Hosts Parade (PICTURES)

Tel Aviv Gay Pride Celebrations Begin (PICTURES)
Sara C Nelson
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Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate gay pride.

Amid the festivities of the city's 15th annual parade, several politicians chose the opportunity to address the masses.

Despite being met with boos for his unpopular economic policies, finance minister Yair Lapid announced he intended to work on legalising same sex marriage, Haaretz reported.

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A man wears a kippah with rainbow colors during Tel Aviv's gay pride parade on Friday

Meanwhile Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai told the crowds: "I am proud that Tel Aviv is the most gay-friendly city in the world."

Israel is the only place in the Middle East where homosexual couples can openly show affection and it rated a top travel destination for the gay community, the Washington Times said.

The Jerusalem Post reports the city is expecting over 20,000 foreign tourists to visit for pride events, which will continue throughout June.

The celebrations are going ahead amid the recent arrests of three suspects in connection with the killing of two people at a gay youth centre in the coastal city four years ago.

Tel Aviv Gay Pride 2013
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Two men kiss each other during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People stand on a float during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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The first French married gay couple, Vincent Autin (R) and his partner Bruno Boileau walk in a park before taking part in the Gay Parade as they are honeymooning in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv at the invitation of its municipality on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the annual Gay Pride parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the French couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A girl holds a placard near rainbow flags during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A man wears a kippah with rainbow colors during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Gay, lesbian and transgender activists and sympathisers wave from a bus during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People stand on a float as they take part in the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Gay, lesbian and transgender activists and sympathisers take part in the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People wave an Israeli flag and a Canadian flag (R) with rainbow colors during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Two men kiss each other during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Gay, lesbian and transgender activists and sympathisers take part in the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People stand on a float, one holding a rainbow flag, during the Gay Parade in the coastal Israeli city of Tel Aviv on June 7, 2013. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for the parade, which attracts visitors from all over the world, this year including the first French married gay couple. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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