Court orders J'lem municipality to drop ban on gay pride parade
Judge orders municipality, Mayor Uri Lupolianski to pay court costs of NIS 30,000 each.
By Amiram Barkat and Haaretz CorrespondentThe Jerusalem District Court ordered the Jerusalem municipality on Sunday to drop its ban on the fourth annual gay pride parade in the city, accepting a petition by Open House, Jerusalem's gay and lesbian community center.
Judge Moussia Arad, who is vice president of the court for administrative affairs, also ordered the municipality and Mayor Uri Lupolianski to pay court costs of NIS 30,000 each.
The judge ruled that City Hall cannot discriminate against a particular public because certain of its members object to that public's opinions or sexual orientation.
The director of Open House, Hagai Elad, said the court verdict is a victory for freedom of expression and the principle of equality. He promised that the fourth annual gay pride parade in Jerusalem will take place as planned and will follow the same format as last year's.
The event has already received police approval.
Chairman of the Jerusalem Meretz branch, Saar Netanel, said he "felt tremendous satisfaction at the fact that Lupolianski will have to pay NIS 30,000 out of his own pocket".
Netanel added that the verdict is a victory not only for the gay and lesbian community but for whoever wants an open and pluralistic Jerusalem.
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