Miri Regev
Miri RegevYonatan Sindel / Flash 90

Controversy continues over the pro-LGBT rally in Tel Aviv Saturday night, after it was revealed that Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz (Likud) was booed offstage by thousands of attendees for supporting the community. 

"It's sad that you stopped calling for greater tolerance and instead show basic intolerance towards those who think a little differently," Culture Minister Miri Regev (Likud) stated in his defense to Maariv on Sunday. "I was saddened to hear how Minister Steinitz was received at the rally in Tel Aviv last night. I was sorry to hear how the Education Minister [Naftali Bennett] was rejected for wanting to express support and solidarity." 

"I particularly regret this missed opportunity, this chance to speak, to unite and convey a common message," Regev continued. "You cannot call for tolerance but be rude and violent. You cannot call for an open discussion and then block their ears. You cannot ask for the acceptance of the Other, but then ask him not to attend." 

Multiple reports of intolerance toward the more traditional, or right-wing, community in Israel at the rally have been reported despite the rally's message of acceptance. 

On Saturday night, Bennett - along with Jewish Home MK Yinon Magal - were reportedly prevented from attending the rally by the Israeli National LGBT Task Force union because they allegedly refused to sign a document pledging allegiance for future events.

Steinitz, however, stated to Army Radio Sunday that he was allowed to attend despite never signing the document - and then was booed offstage anyway. 

Meanwhile, Magal stated earlier Sunday that he was the subject of subtle threats from the Union if he attended, and intimated that he was the cause of Thursday's stabbing attack at the Pride Parade which injured six people in Jerusalem.