Gay parade leaves
Jerusalem?
Ultra-Orthodox
politicians join Islamic Movement,
chief rabbi enlists
pope. Result: Homosexuals, lesbians
from across globe to
apparently not march in capital
Neta Sela,
ynetnews.com from the Web, July 8, 2006
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Photo: Reuters
Pride
colors to pass over Jerusalem? |
Jerusallem -- Political
pressures have apparently worked: Ynet has learned that WorldPride 2006,
the global gay pride parade, which was scheduled to be held next month in
Jerusalem, is expected to move to Tel Aviv at the last moment.
Police officials confirmed that this was the apparent situation, but that a
final decision has not yet been made.
Officially, sources at the police explained that the reason for moving the
parade is the Jerusalem Police's fear in light of the event's size and
complexity, which will make it difficult to secure it.
"Tel Aviv is more used to such events, and therefore it should take place there
also this time," a police official said.
However, Israel's capital deals with complex local and international events on a
weekly basis, so it appears that the reason for the change –- if it indeed takes
place -– is more complicated.
Legal problems
Behind the scenes, politicians, public figures and rabbis worked against the
parade. Even the pope got involved in the affair, following a letter sent
to him by Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar. Now it appears that the parade's
opposers were also backed by Justice Minister Haim Ramon.
Ynet has learned that on Wednesday, Ramon met with Industry, Trade and Labor
Minister Eli Yishai (Shas), who told Ramon that "indeed there is an issue of
freedom of expression, but on the other hand there is also the public's
benefit."
According to Yishai, the justice minister replied that there is a legal problem
with completely cancelling the parade, but he definitely supported the idea to
remove it from Jerusalem "for the benefit of the public and because leaders of
the three religions are against it."
“This is not just about the parade, but a week of events with a Jerusalem theme
to it,” the Open House organization said in a statement. “The right to
hold the Gay Pride parade and events was given to us by Israeli law and by the
freedom of speech it grants us. As far as we know, neither Shas nor the
Justice minister are above the law.”
Police officials said a final decision on the matter has not been reached as of
yet, but added that should an official request be submitted to hold the parade
in Tel Aviv, ‘it would make it easier on the police to authorize it.’
Efrat Weiss
contributed to the report
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