Because of the parade?
Photo: Tomeriko
Hatred in Jerusalem
Gay pub torched in capital; no injuries reported
JERUSALEM – A pub catering to Jerusalem's homosexual community was torched Sunday afternoon, the fire department has confirmed.
No injuries and only minor damages were reported in the blaze.
Notably, tensions escalated in Jerusalem in recent weeks over the intention to hold the international gay pride parade in the capital. At one point, a coalition of ultra-Orthodox Jews and Christians joined forces in a bid to block the parade from going ahead.
Event organizers, meanwhile, vowed the parade would be dignified and in good taste.
On Sunday, an unknown individual approached the pub around 5 p.m. and threw a burning rag into the club, Jerusalem City Council Member and club co-owner Saar Netanel told Ynet.
"We still don’t know who did it," he said.
'We won't be deterred'
The pub serves as a meeting place for gays, straights, lesbians, Jews, and Arabs, Netanel said.
"We are proud that the spot is an island of coexistence in Jerusalem. This club has an important role to play in this divided city," he said. "Whoever attempted to deter us would not succeed. We'll fix the damages and reopen the club as early as Thursday."
Although some may suspect a religious individual was behind the attack, there is no reason to point the finger at the entire ultra-Orthodox community, Netanel said.
"I certainly don't blame anyone, and certainly no community," he said. "The police will investigate and we'll see. This is the first time the club is attacked, but I already received threats on my life."
