Jerusalem pride parade. 'Special significance for holding parade in Jerusalem'
Jerusalem gay parade in cards
Open House organization decides to hold gay pride parade in capital this year
More controversy? Jerusalem's Open House for Pride and Tolerance has decided Sunday to hold a gay pride parade in the capital this year as well, GLBT portal Gogay has reported.
The decision was taken by a 5 to 1 vote during the Open House's management committee meeting, which featured various community members who expressed their views on the subject. Most participants backed another parade in order to show they would not capitulate in the face of ultra-Orthodox and homophobic threats.
However, some participants did voice concern over the risks inherent in holding the parade, while others wondered whether the gay community has not lost its momentum.
Open House Director Hagai Elad said that the date for the next pride parade will be "set as soon as possible and be published following the completion of a brief process of checking the opportunities at our disposal in holding the parade."
"The Open House always saw special significance in holding the parade in Jerusalem as part of our struggle, and as part of the ongoing struggle to advance the rights of the community in the city and promote democratic values in the city," he said.
"This year, we have special circumstances, including the world pride events in August and the unprecedented waves of incitement against the community," Elad said.
"The Open House does not intend to be dragged to violence or give in to it," he added. "In the face of the violence, our response is on the one hand to continue standing up for our rights with determination, while at the same time do what we can do as organizers, within reason, in order to boost the event's security level."
Elad noted that the Open House has not yet discussed the matter with police.
"The successful holding of the parade in Jerusalem this year is an immense challenge," he said.
