J'lem police: Forget about gay parade
Open House plans to hold World Pride parade on Septembers 21, but Jerusalem police announce they will not allow parade due to busy holiday season
Police officials said that if other dates are provided, they would reexamine the decision.
On Monday, they announced that they would hold the parade in Jerusalem on September 21 (two days before the Jewish New Year). Police officials said that they heard about the date on the media.
Following the announcement on the plan to hold the parade, the police held a meeting to evaluate the situation, at the end of which it was decided not to allow the parade to be held next month.
The Jerusalem police said in response: "If we are presented with other dates, we will reexamine them and approve them."
Open House: We may turn to court
The holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succot will be marked at the end of September and the beginning of October. The Jerusalem District Police is preparing to secure the mass events planned to be held in the capital during that period.
Open House Director Hagai Elad told Ynet in response: "The police are issuing statements to the press instead of responding in a matter-of-fact manner. We will struggle to hold the parade and will hold it as planned on September 21."
"It is important that the Jerusalem Municipality and the police do not attempt to stand in the way of the freedom of speech. They should regain their composure and enter a matter-of-fact dialogue with the Open House regarding the parade which will be held on September 21. If needed, we will not hesitate to petition the court. The Open House has yet to receive any official response from the police on the request submitted regarding the parade," he said.
Open House officials explained that holding the parade this year, one day before Rosh Hashana, constitutes "a key role in the ongoing struggle for promoting the freedom of speech, the rights of the community in Jerusalem and promoting democratic and pluralistic values in the city and outside of it."
"Holding the parade in Jerusalem this year bears particularly great significance in light of the waves of unprecedented incitement which the community in Jerusalem suffered during the global pride events and before them," the Open House said.
