Gay community seeks Jerusalem parade
Open House members ask police to let them march in streets of capital on June 21. Last time it ended with a compromise between homosexuals, haredim
Officials at the Jerusalem District Police said in response that "the request has been received and we are now reviewing it."
The Open House members explained that pride parades were being held during the month of June worldwide for 30 years now.
Ayelet Shnur, chairperson of the Open House, said that this year's event was not only for members of the gay community.
"This is the main human rights demonstration which will be held in Jerusalem this year and it is planned for every citizen," she said, adding that the violence during last year's parade strengthened the public's need to fight for the freedom of every person in Jerusalem.
Several months ago, the Open House members held a "pride day" in Jerusalem, which led to high tensions between the homosexual community and members of the ultra-Orthodox community in the city. For nights, police forces were busy dealing with riots on the part of the haredim.
Following long negotiations between the parties, and after the High Court interfered, it was decided not to hold a parade but rather a happening at the Givat Ram Stadium in the capital.
Sa'ar Netane, a Jerusalem city council member on behalf of Meretz, told Ynet that "last summer's events have taught us that it is important for the parade to march in Jerusalem and that we must not let the haredim determine the city's character and the State's character.
"We, on our part, for the debate not to become heated during the parade, and I hope the other side will do the same."
