A Tel Aviv synagogue was sprayed Wednesday night with a slogan warning against attempting to cancel a gay pride march scheduled for next Friday in Jerusalem.

The slogan read "if we can't march in Jerusalem, you won't walk around in Tel Aviv."

The Ge'ulot Yisrael synagogue, located near the popular Shenkin Street, also had its windows smashed with rocks.

	Advertisement

Tel Aviv city council member and gay community leader Itai Pinkas strongly condemned the vandalism, saying "this is a malicious provocation aimed at smearing the community's name."

"The community's struggle has always promoted values of tolerance, understanding and consideration, and such violent acts have not and will not be used as a means in the just struggle for attaining full civil rights (for gays)," he said.

It is still unclear if the gay pride march will be held, and the police are withholding permits for next Friday's planned Jerusalem event, but the ultra-Orthodox community is bustling with protest activities.

On Wednesday night, protesters congregated in Mea She'arim, and tried to block roads. Three policemen were hurt in clashes with dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters who threw rocks and eggs at passing cars and police.

A taxi driver and a bus driver had to be rescued by police from the mob. Eight of the rioters were detained and questioned.

Later in the night the clashes intensified, and police used water cannons, mounted police and special units to disperse the demonstration.

A more organized protest is expected in the neighborhood Thursday.