Israeli minister gives go-ahead to Jerusalem Gay Pride march

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 2:55pm

Feel better, DGrant?
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Israeli minister gives go-ahead to Jerusalem Gay Pride march

Fri Jun 24, 2:18 PM ET

Israeli Interior Minister Ofir Pines said he had given the green light for the annual Gay Pride march to take place in Jerusalem later this month, overruling opposition from the municipal council.

It was the duty of the municipality "to allow the right of expression to all those making up the city's population," Pines said, confirming he would ensure the parade could set off unhampered for what will be its fourth year running.

Earlier this week, the municipality expressed opposition to the parade in a letter to organisers, warning it would be "a provocation and upset the sentiments of the wider public who live in or are visiting the city."

Since June 2004, the municipality has been headed by mayor Uri Lupolianski, an ultra-orthodox Jew.

Organisers of the "Love Without Borders" parade dismissed the letter and had pledged to appeal the municipality's ban to the supreme court.

Last month, organisers cancelled the International World Pride gathering that was due to take place in Jerusalem in August, because it would take place at the same time as Israel's evacuation of all troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip.

With the majority of Israeli police being recruited for the Gaza pullout, the organisers realised there would not be enough forces to ensure the safety of festival-goers at the event, which has faced fierce opposition from senior Muslim, Christian and Jewish clerics as well as at grassroots level.

Despite antipathy for gays among Israeli religious circles, homosexuality was legalised in the Jewish state in 1988 and since then, the rights of gay couples have been recognised by the courts.
Israeli minister gives go-ahead to Jerusalem Gay Pride march

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 2:56pm

Good for them

But you know it's going to be a target for a car bomb...

[Alix7272]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 4:29pm

yay!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 5:01pm

man, jewish and gay? that's definitely the double virgin bonus for the semtex suited.

[Plum]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 5:03pm

God, I love that touch about most of the police being occupied by the Gaza pullout. The way I shudder about my fellow Americans is nothing compared to how I shudder at my fellow Israelis sometimes.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 7:18pm

TheatreDiva,

Well Jerusalem (at least the area where the parade is taking place) is in a Jewish area, and Jews are not ones for car bombs and terrorist attacks, so I wouldn't worry about that. However, the Hassidim (Ultra-Ultra-Orthodox) do have a habit of throwing garbage and stones at people they don't agree with, so that would be my only concern. But YAY...Jerusalem is where I was born and spent very memorable years in my childhood and teens, and I am proud of the progress. Tel Aviv on the other hand has always had a huge gay presence.

Akiva

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 12:34am

Thanks, PalJoey. My heart just got a little lighter!