Haredim threaten police guarding pride parade
Spread leaflets calling on Jerusalem police to avoid taking part in securing pride events, threaten officers with divine curses: 'Better you act sick than end up in a cancer ward.' Police meanwhile are completing preparations for the event
Tensions continue to rise surrounding the upcoming pride parade scheduled to be held in Jerusalem on Thursday as the strictly-Orthodox community directs its opposition at the police officers means to secure the event.
In a menacing leaflet published Tuesday police officers are "advised" to fake ill on Thursday or else they would end up in hospital cancer wards. "He who defends the parade – the countdown to his funeral has begun, and it is a shame to end one's life in such a way, to not even be recognized as one who has fallen in battle," said the leaflet.
Meanwhile the High Court of Justice heard several petitions Tuesday demanding the parade be cancelled.
Among the petitioners were Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai (Shas), and extreme-right activist Bruch Marzel, who first demanded to have Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish, Justice Ayala Procaccia and Justice Eliezer Rivlin removed from hearing the petitions. His request was denied.
Police forces will soon complete their preparations for securing the event. Some 7,000 policemen and Border Police officers will be positioned along the course of the parade, all answering to Jerusalem Police Chief Ilan Franco.
Police forces will also maintain the calm at a hardi protest against the parade, to be held in juncture with the pride events.
In recent days haredim have clashed repeatedly with security forces, primarily in Jerusalem. Police have arrested 76 haredim suspected of hurling rocks, vandalizing property, torching dumpsters and assaulting officers. Of those arrested 34 are minors. Police intend to file charges against several of the detained hardeim over the next few days.
Eight policemen were lightly wounded in the clashes.
Franco himself testified before the High Court in Tuesday's hearing, saying that allowing the pride parade to go on as scheduled would put those participating and contesting the parade at "serious risk."
Right-wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir said during the court session that the parade should be held in an enclosed space like it was last year. The Jerusalem municipality has displayed a divided front – Mayor Uri Lupolianski opposes the parade while the city's attorney general is in favor of it.
Aviram Zino contributed to this report
