Organizers propose pride celebration without parade
Open House representatives offer police to hold happening in closed area in light of heavy load imposed on police officers due to large number of warnings of terror attacks following Beit Hanoun tragedy; police to consider proposal
In a meeting with top police officials in Jerusalem, Open House representatives offered to hold a happening without the parade itself.
Behind the scenes, central figures in the ultra-Orthodox world mediated between the parties. The meetings, which were attended by members of the homo-lesbian community and members of the haredi community, were held at the office of Dudi Zilbershlag, founder of the Meir Panim aid organization.
"The proposal, which is now being discussed with the police, was jointly submitted due to the new security difficulties created following the security situation and out of public responsibility manifested by the Open House," the parade organizers said.
Police officials told Ynet that other alternatives for the pride event in Jerusalem were being examined, but that nothing has been decided yet.
In a meeting with the Open House representatives, the police suggested postponing the parade by one week, but were turned down.
Police on highest alert
The flexibility presented by the parade organizers, whose response was not received yet, came following the police's renewed evaluation of the situation, as it is now forced to also deal with disturbances and threats over the parade, as well as dozens of security warnings following the Beit Hanoun tragedy.
The IDF shelling, which killed 19 Palestinian civilians – most of them members of one family – united the Palestinian organizations, including Fatah, in a call to renew terror attacks.
On Thursday morning, Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi held a meeting with top police officials to evaluate the situation.
Jerusalem District Police Commander Major General Ilan Franco said Wednesday that he did not remember such preparations in the capital, and senior police officials mentioned the heavy load the police are expected to face over the weekend across the country, and mainly in Jerusalem.
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter will be presented with the issue later Thursday.
Also Thursday, the High Court of Justice is expected to make a final decision regarding the petitions filed against the pride parade.
Efrat Weiss contributed to the report
