The Jerusalem Open House gay and lesbian organization asked the police yesterday to approve holding the annual gay pride parade in the capital on June 21.

The group wants the parade's thousands of participants to march from Independence Park in the city center to Liberty Bell Park near the German Colony.

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In its request, the Open House stressed that the parade is essential to what it called "the preservation of the rule of law in Israel in general, and in Jerusalem in particular."

Last year's gay pride parade in Jerusalem was delayed by the second Lebanon war. Plans to reschedule the event faced tough opposition from ultra-Orthodox leaders, as well as outbreaks of rioting in the capital. Eventually, organizers and ultra-Orthodox leaders agreed to cancel the parade and replace it with a rally in Givat Ram.

The Open House's director general, Noa Satat, said yesterday that this year the organization is determined to hold the parade on the date in which gay pride parades are held around the world.

"I believe that this year there will again be an attempt to silence the community through violence, but we will not surrender to it," she said. "It is the right of the proud community to march, and the police's job to defend those who follow the law from those who break it."

Satat added that the Open House has been conducting a dialogue with ultra-Orthodox representatives for some time.

She said she believes that final approval for the parade will be given by the High Court of Justice, adding that the Open House is prepared for a legal battle should the police fail to approve the parade.

Jerusalem Police sources said the request has been received and is being examined.