JERUSALEM: Despite ultra-Orthodox threats Jerusalem gay pride parade fills Holy City streets

Record ID: 277005

  • Title: JERUSALEM: Despite ultra-Orthodox threats Jerusalem gay pride parade fills Holy City streets
  • Date: 22nd June 2007
  • Summary: GAY PRIDE MARCHERS WALKING DOWN STREET VARIOUS OF MARCHERS AND RAINBOW FLAGS AND BALLOONS
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA2X8RJHIZ8J1YZ4EEFN6TA4T46
  • Story Text: Amid tight security and under threats hundreds of gay Israelis and supporters attended the annual pride parade in Jerusalem on Thursday (June 21).
    Disputes over whether to hold the parade in the holy city have showcased one of many divides in Israeli society, and raised questions on how to ensure the religious nature of Jerusalem, sacred to the three major monotheisms, is not compromised.
    Many devout Jews, Muslims and Christians view homosexuality as an abomination. Most Jewish residents of Jerusalem are religious.
    Over 7,000 police were put on duty for the event, a police spokesman said, in a bid to protect marchers following threats of violence from religious Jews.
    "Until now there have been a number of small sporadic disturbances that have taken place in the ultra-religious neighbourhoods. This is something that we've been prepared for in dealing with. At the moment here, in the large police presence - over 7,500 police in and around where we are - at the moment, it's keeping everything quiet, and under control," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
    Police arrested more than 130 ultra-Orthodox Jews over the past few days after learning of plots to disrupt the march and during protests in Jerusalem and religious Jewish towns, where officers used water cannons to battle stone-throwing protesters. About 15 policemen had minor injuries, the spokesman said. Police also arrested several people on Thursday, including an ultra-Orthodox Jew who was found carrying an explosive device.
    Demonstrators had a variety of reasons for attending the event. Some supported gay rights, and understanding. Others were quite upset about the gay lifestyle.
    "We're demonstrating for gay rights in Jerusalem, our right to live here and be respected as human beings," one woman said.
    "We think that our message of freedom and happiness is something that applies to everyone," one gay man said.
    "Homosexual is abomination. However, don't forget that fornication is also abomination and so is murder, but this particular abomination will destroy your little children before they're two years old," another man said.
    Police were seen arresting one man who appeared to be part of a group supporting gay rights. As the police took him into custody he started to shout anti-gay slogans.
    The annual march has been held in the Jerusalem since 2001.
    In 2005, an Ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed and wounded three participants in the march. He is serving a 12-year prison sentence.
    The parade in Jerusalem was cancelled last year amid threats by religious Jews. A gay pride gathering, secured by thousands of officers, was held at a stadium instead.
    Israel also hosts an annual Gay Pride parade in Tel Aviv, which is mostly secular, without controversy. About 20,000 people attended one last week.
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