Israel has cancelled Tel Aviv Pride, one of the regions largest Pride events, fearing possible retaliation for Project Rising Lion, Israels Thursday night military offensive, which targeted Irans nuclear and military infrastructure and killed Irans highest-ranking military officer, the head of its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, and its air force and a former national security chief.Transgender Republican millionaire Caitlyn Jenner had planned on attending the Pride event as a distinguished guest of honor to help improve the countrys global perception. Now, shes expressing solidarity with the Israeli people. Related NYU withholds trans students diploma for condemning Gaza war in graduation speech The crowd applauded, but administrators were likely worried that the U.S. president would notice if they didnt take action against the student. Israel used200 fighter jets to attack Iran on Thursday night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks may continue for many days. In response, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel, but the country claimed to have intercepted all the drones. Donald Trump denied any involvement with Israels attack but expressed support for it, urging Iran to end its nuclear ambitions. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Prior to Thursday nights attack, Israel and Iran had conducted most of their recent combat through covert operations, cyber attacks, and occasional targeted strikes, CNN reported. Though last year,Iran launched its largest-ever missile attackon Israel in retaliation for thekilling of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others, the publication noted.Israel feared further retaliation might endanger the 150,000 to 250,000 attendees of its annual Tel Aviv Pride event, and so government officials cancelled the event (which was set to begin on Friday).Tel Aviv Pride organizers had invited Jenner as a guest of honor. She addressed the media on Wednesday at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv just hours after arriving, The Jerusalem Post reported.The Israeli people are very open-minded. Theyre friendly, theyre, you know, great for theLGBT community, and nobody knows it, she told the press. I think you guys have a marketing problem because maybe, maybe I can come out and help market this a little bit. I think you guys have a marketing problem because maybe, maybe I can come out and help market this a little bit,she added.In a June 10 post, Jenner wrote, I am excited to share that I will be in Israel this week. Im visiting the resilient people of Israel as the nation continues to recover and restore its place in the Middle East. Stay tuned!However, in a post published Thursday, Jenner shared an image of herself pressing her hands and forehead against the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and wrote, My heart is here, with the beautiful people, in @Israel.My heart is here, with the beautiful people, in @Israel pic.twitter.com/jC0bNeYdDs Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 12, 2025 Pro-Palestinian LGBTQ+ activists have long protested Israels ongoing military actions in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and other militants that killed 1,200 Israeli civilians. Israel has been accused of committing genocide againstthe Palestinian people by targeting civilian and refugee sites, critical infrastructure, as well as food and medical aid workers.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.