"Thousands of Israelis turned out for Tel Aviv's annual gay pride parade on Friday, dancing and waving flags in a colourful procession through the sizzling streets of the beachside city," reports AFP. "Drag queens, civil rights activists and scantily clad gay and straight couples waved Israeli and rainbow flags in the scorching heat as they made their way to a beach party to the thumping of dance music. A small group of activists waving red flags tried to broaden the message, calling for greater equality for all Israeli communities, including its Arab minority, which makes up nearly 20 percent of the population."