Dear Dr. Fania, Although the organizers of the parade do not 'intend' to include any prevocative shows during the parade it is possible that such a parade lead to overt prevocativeness. Also, the mere statement of the parade is, as you can see, prevocative to those who feel very strongly against these practices: Members of three different faiths. Surely, you as an understanding and respectful human being do not think that this is right and correct. Surely, gifted with positive communication, you would stand up for the respect of those who believe that this is wrong who would be hurt by this and to tell the homosexual community in a respectful manner how and why their planned parade is necessarily disrespectful: In particular because the Almighty who these people believe in said Homosexuality is wrong - an abomonation unto Him - and Jerusalem is a Holy Capital to three Monotheistic faiths. Sincerely, Peace

The right thing is respect.

"There is no way to turn back the clock. The values of a liberal society cannot be folded up and returned to the historical closet," Didn't the Greeks, Babylonians, Romans, etc, etc, all say this to the Jewish people when they also tried to encourage the Jews to leave Torah? And where are they today? The sands of history....

more to the point: Gays are great neighbors. All we won't do is disappear or consent to not being permitted in Jerusalem. We are not going to be rude, indecent, immodest - at least by standards that you see every day at Kikar Tzion - downtown in the new city. We wont be in religious neighborhoods or the Old City. But we will be there because Jerusalem belongs to all of us and its big enough for everybody. Not just orthodox Jews. As far as your shinanigans in California go, of course we all fight terrorists who kill Jews. But you went over the top and it hurt your business. You picked an unneccesary fight - so of course that's what you think we are doing. We are not. Anybody can protest - as long as they do it peacefully, without violence or incitement. Just like we plan to do in Jerusalem in August.

Brace yourselves, it won't end with the gay perverts marching.

Christian fundamentalists, Haredim, Religious Zionists, Farm workers, Labour workers, Left wing Anarchists, right wing fundamentalists, moderates, haters, lovers, family members all get their day in the sun in Jerusalem. On August the 10th all those who have pride in a pluralist modern-day Jerusalem will march. It is not only about being gay, queer, lesbian, bisexual, transexual, straight or other. It is about freedom to be recognized and seen. The Torah is not in the municipal or national law books. This is why it is important in Jerusalem. Read the talkbacks, very important.

In last years parade in Jerusalem, as in the past five years, the march was respectful and meaningful. There we were, my family and me, the family joined in Gan Hapaamon because of the demonstrations downtown. They and me had a great time. Non of us are gay, but we are all proud and respect both those who marched and those who demonstrated against.

"before hitler killed europe the jews led the homosexual movement in berlin. read "pink sawastika" the leftists freak zionists caused the last holocaust and are bringing the next one too. " ah hello? did I hear you right, the gays, leftists and zionist caused the Holocaust. I am not sure you realize it, but in the ovens Haredim and gay people were pretty equal. God did not seem to spare even the pios. You are an idiot, no sorry you are evil. Non the less, I am glad, one more reason to march on Aug. 10th

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. It is the capital of a modern country in which we pay taxes, work and fund the study of so many other citizens of this city. In TLV the parade is just a party. Here it is political. It is a statement, we are here in the city, you cannot ignore us. See us normal humans, we will not wear underpants, we will not dance naked, we will march dignified and with pride. If you find it terrible, then drive around King George st. we will march in the secular neighborhoods of JLM because this is where we live. Pride is about stating that we are here. Not in your face, but beside you. Just like you, not hidden away, never again hidden away. Just like you.

YNET gave you alot of column space and you used it to rationalize what our Torah defines as a sin. Given enough space, you could probably rationalize other sins such as theft, adultery, and even murder. What a waste of your intelligence and education. Have you considered that you yourself are suffering from a mental illness? Intellectualization is a common defense in some mental illnesses and you intellectualize to the fullest extent.

You are in a position at Haifa University where you have access to young people who are still easily influenced. You are in a position to poison them with your moral infection and perverted arguments. As a parent, it is very frightening to think that someone of your beliefs has access to the precious young adults of Israel, where you can manipulate and distort their and moral codes, all under the protection of "academic freedom".

Thank you for emphasizing that most imporant point about the fact that in Jerusalem everything will be respectful and modest. No trucks , no buns.. But those who hate gay people will object the parade and letting the gay people voice being heard anwyay. I am going to march in August. I am willing to risk my life now that religious extremists have threaten to murder us and prevent us from demonstrating by all means. Thank you for giving us some more power. we need it and I hope one day it will not be needed and there also want be a need for a gay parade anywhere.

It amazes me how you hit at the heart of the matter so clearly. You have pointed out why haredim demonize gay people and have asked them to voice their opinions but not act violently. You mention the things you find offensive and yet you are able to allow them to give voice in that offensive manner. Well done. You also point out very clearly expression of sexuality that does not harm others physically or present a danger to public safety is to be tolerated by a free society. For those who have failed to understand this, it rules out pederasty and bestiality. (both of those behaviours are more common among heterosexuals than homosexuals in any case.) The call for spilling gay blood, the calling and or comparing gay people to pederasts and the horrible hatred spewed on these pages is frightening, and even nauseating. These are calls from a group of people unwilling to defend their country yet willing to spill Jewish blood in the name of morality. These are morals that I find highly suspect. I highly doubt the Pride Parade will march through Mea Shearim! It is not required of anyone to attend. If it offends your high morals and makes you question your religious identity don't attend. Jerusalem is a city for many different people. Gay people included. It is our capital too. Pride is a political parade for equal rightts on all levels even marriage. This may offend some, but everyone in a free society should have the right to express themselves..

Hebrew translation is Pride? Satan wished to be as GOD because of pride.

I can't believe that so many mortals talk as if there is no One Above. Let's first ask ourselves honestly if we believe in G-d and the veracity of the Torah He gave on Sinai. If you believe, then you have not studied Leviticus 20:13. If you do not believe, then you have not opened your mind to the proof of history, particularly Jewish history. Most of those who protest the parade of gays are crying out in true love of G-d and His people. They are the educated among us who know the Torah and the history foretold and are hoping to salvage the remnants of the Jewish people. We should thank them for their concern for us. Of course, no human is perfect, but there is a big difference in G-ds eyes between admitting mistakes and working on self improvement versus willful acts that anger G-d. Please notice that the Land of Israel is slipping away from us, just as foretold by the Torah would happen as a result of these deplorable acts, Leviticus 20:22-24. The fact that it is the government of Israel itself throwing Jews off their land, makes no difference. (It was the mercy of G-d that the displacement of nearly 8,000 people from their land was carried out by brothers). In any situation, we must first be honest with ourselves and open our minds and our ears to the Torah message.