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Caitlyn Jenner’s Unexpected Trip to Israel: Pride, Bomb Shelters, and Support Amid Crisis
Caitlyn Jenner, Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist, made headlines this week for her high-profile visit to Israel during a period of escalating tensions and violence. Invited as the guest of honor for Tel Aviv’s 2025 Pride parade, Jenner’s journey took an unexpected turn as missile attacks forced her — and countless others in the city — to seek refuge in bomb shelters. Through it all, Jenner remained resilient, sharing her experiences publicly and reaffirming her unwavering support for Israel and its people.
A Mission to Support Israel’s LGBTQ Community
Jenner had arrived in Tel Aviv with a clear purpose: to honor and uplift Israel’s LGBTQ community by participating in the annual Pride celebration. Addressing the media only hours after landing, she emphasized her admiration for the warm, open-minded nature of the Israeli people, stating, “I met the nicest, friendliest people, I think, in any country I’ve ever been to in my life. Everybody had a smile on their face. Everybody was having a good time.” Jenner also noted the important role she hoped to play in shifting global perceptions about Israel’s LGBTQ acceptance, suggesting that increased awareness and better “marketing” could help showcase the country’s inclusive spirit. For more on her remarks and the context of her visit, see the Jerusalem Post’s coverage of Jenner’s appearance and her advocacy for the LGBTQ community in Israel.
From Parade to Bomb Shelter: Iran’s Missile Strikes Change Everything
Initially, Jenner’s visit followed a celebratory schedule, including high-profile meetings and public events. She visited Kibbutz Be’eri and the Nova festival site, sharing her reflections on the resilience and unity she observed there, as highlighted by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, events took a dramatic turn when Israel carried out a military operation targeting Iran, prompting a barrage of retaliatory missile strikes. With these strikes on Tel Aviv, the Pride parade and all associated festivities were instantly canceled. Jenner, along with Israeli influencer Regev Gur, found herself taking shelter underground. In a now-deleted social media post, Gur shared a photo of Jenner calmly drinking red wine in the bomb shelter, capturing the surreal juxtaposition of celebration and crisis.
Public Statements, Social Media, and Staying Informed
Throughout the ordeal, Jenner remained in close contact with her supporters via social media. On Instagram, she posted video footage of the missiles lighting up the night sky over Tel Aviv — set, pointedly, to Pentatonix’s version of “Hallelujah” — underscoring both the beauty and gravity of the situation. Earlier, she had shared her excitement at arriving in Israel with a video set to “Run This Town.” You can view Jenner’s Instagram story from the bomb shelter here.
On X (formerly Twitter), Jenner directly addressed her critics and followers, writing:
“Many people are asking if I regret or second guess my journey to Israel and being there while we were attacked. Simple answer- NO. There is nowhere I would have rather been.”
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner), June 16, 2025
Jenner’s Defiant Support and Political Musings
In the wake of the attacks, Jenner spoke with multiple media outlets, including TMZ, where she expressed “pride” in having witnessed the resilience of Israelis firsthand. She described the unique sense of unity she felt in the shelters, where people of different faiths and backgrounds came together under siege. Jenner also used the spotlight to voice her political views, praising the “spirit and strength” of Israeli leaders and specifically crediting Donald Trump with the mission to “destroy and dismantle the terrorist Iranian regime.” Jenner was sharply critical of U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, labeling it as “anti-Israel” and “pro-Iran.” For the full details of Jenner’s statement and the broader political implications, see TMZ’s in-depth report.
Departure and Ongoing Coverage
As tensions remained high, Jenner safely left Israel, crossing into Jordan by land with plans to return to Los Angeles. However, she had not yet arrived back in the United States as of Monday, according to TMZ’s latest update. Meanwhile, the situation in Israel and Iran continues to develop rapidly, resulting in significant casualties on both sides and ongoing concern among the international community. For updated coverage on the ongoing conflict, NBC News provides a live blog with the latest information.
Caitlyn Jenner’s visit, intended as a celebration of LGBTQ visibility and acceptance, ended up highlighting both the ongoing volatility in the region and the resilience of those who live — and love — amid crisis. Through bomb shelters and public statements, her unwavering support for Israel struck a chord with many, sparking conversations about activism, politics, and unity in the face of adversity.
Related Reading
- For more on Caitlyn Jenner’s advocacy work and her previous visits to Israel, see the original Jerusalem Post article.
- Jenner’s Instagram captures and video reels from her eventful trip are available here and here.
- For updates on the broader Israel-Iran conflict and its international implications, visit NBC News’ Middle East section.
Photos from the visit courtesy of Getty Images and the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation.
