Last update - 02:22 14/06/2007
J'lem Haredim protest upcoming Gay Pride parade
By Jonathan Lis and Yair Ettinger
Dozens of ultra-Orthodox demonstrated in Jerusalem yesterday evening to protest the upcoming Gay Pride parade, which is scheduled to take place there next Thursday.
A garbage receptacle was torched during the demonstration, which was organized by the head of the ultra-Orthodox community's religious court, Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch.
Earlier yesterday, Jerusalem district police met to prepare for such protests, which they had anticipated. The police are expected to approve the parade, despite the objections of the city's ultra-Orthodox community.
"The parade will be an expression of freedom of speech and civil rights, and will bear a restrained and moderate Jerusalem character" as opposed to Tel Aviv's more flamboyant parade, said Noa Satat, the head of the gay rights organization sponsoring the parade. "We are calling on all the parade participants to respect the residents of Jerusalem, including the ultra-Orthodox residents. We invite anyone who believes freedom of speech and democracy in Israel are important to take part in the parade," she said.
Sa'ar Netanel, a Meretz city council member and a leader of the gay community in Jerusalem, said, "The Gay Pride parade long ago turned into a demonstration of democracy and freedom of speech. It is only appropriate that it take place in Israel's capital."