A newly announced LGBTQ+ festival near the Dead Sea is drawing sharp criticism from many Christians, who say the event’s location carries deep biblical significance and raises spiritual concerns.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry promoted the upcoming four-day event, called “Pride Land,” as the “biggest LGBTQ+ festival ever in the Middle East.” Scheduled for early June, the celebration is expected to transform the desert landscape near the Dead Sea into a temporary city featuring hotels, entertainment venues, and round-the-clock programming.

“Pride rises at the lowest place on earth,” the official post read, describing the festival as a time of “celebration, community and connection.”

But for many believers, the location itself has become the central point of controversy. The southern region of the Dead Sea has long been associated with the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—places described in Genesis 19 as being destroyed by God because of widespread sin.

“That’s what makes this so troubling to many Christians,” said one critic online, echoing a growing sentiment across social media. “Why here?”

Father Michael Lillie, a priest at Nativity of Christ Orthodox Church in Ohio, was among those voicing concern. “They are mocking God,” he wrote in response to the announcement.

Others expressed similar reactions, pointing to the symbolic weight of hosting such an event in a region tied so closely to one of the Bible’s most sobering accounts of judgment. Evangelist Sean Feucht described the situation as a sign of the times, while other commentators questioned the broader cultural and spiritual implications.

The event’s organizers, however, say the festival is meant to be a landmark moment for inclusion and tourism. Producer Aaron Cohen described the scale of “Pride Land” as unprecedented, noting that the project involves significant financial investment and the construction of a fully immersive, 24-hour experience in the desert.

“This is not just another festival,” Cohen said. “It’s the biggest thing we’ve done here… an experience that lives 24/7.”

According to reports, the event will include performances from prominent Israeli artists, beach activities, and even family-friendly programming with workshops and children’s events.

The festival also comes at a time when Israel is seeking to revive its tourism industry, which has struggled amid ongoing conflict in the region. The U.S. State Department has warned Americans against travel to the country due to security concerns, adding another layer of complexity to the event’s rollout.

For many Christians, the conversation goes beyond politics or tourism—it touches on how sacred history is remembered and respected in the modern world. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah has long served as a warning about moral decline and the consequences of turning away from God.