Minister for Jerusalem affairs Ya'akov Edery (Likud) on Wednesday told police to consider the possibility of holding the gay pride parade planned for next week outside the city.

Speaking on Israel Radio Edery said that violent threats should not usually dictate decision making, but in this instance I believe it would be wise to take heed of possible violence.

Sources within police headquarters have called the decision to boost the number of troops at the upcoming gay pride parade in Jerusalem "an overreaction," which is ultimately intended to have the parade cancelled completely.

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Police decided Tuesday to expand the number of forces at the parade to 8,000, including 2,000 Border Policemen, after receiving intelligence information regarding plans by ultra-Orthodox and extreme rightists to hold violent protests and attack parade participants.

Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi, speaking at the police's first planning conference ahead of next Friday's parade, said he would personally supervise the deployment of forces.

He instructed Jerusalem District Police chief Ilan Frank to continue intelligential and operational arrangements for the parade.

The Islamic Movement has also protested the parade and called for its cancellation. MK Abbas Zakur (Raam-Taal) asked the mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, to dedicate Friday's prayer services to opposition to the parade.

Zakur is a member of the southern branch of the Islamic movement, considered a more moderate side of the movement.

"This [Jerusalem] is a city holy to Muslims; the pride parade here is unacceptable. Anyone is free to do whatever they want in their own home, but to have a parade like this in the holy city, is crossing all the red lines," Zakur told Haaretz on Tuesday.

The announcement of the parade has angered many ultra-Orthodox and extreme rightists, yet this is the first time Muslim public officials are joining the protest.

"I hope that Muslim believers will act to prevent this parade, for it is a desecration of something holy," Zakur said.

Meanwhile, some 150 ultra-Orthodox demonstrators marched in Jerusalem on Tuesday to protest the upcoming parade. Five of the protestors were taken into police custody, and one officer was lightly wounded from rocks thrown on him by demonstrators.

Karadi said the police would ensure that freedom of expression and democracy was were not violated during the parade, but would also work to protect the security of participants and maintain public order.

Police commissioners across the country have been instructed to conduct evaluations within their districts of possible peace disturbance plans in light of the parade.

Security alerts will be raised to the highest level on the day of the parade. All officers planning to take vacation then have been instructed to reschedule.

The 2005 Jerusalem pride parade was cut short when an ultra-Orthodox protester stabbed three marchers.

This year's parade, with an anticipated 5,000 participants, will begin in the city's Independence Park, run through Agron Street and French Square, and end at Liberty Bell Park.