Marzel declares 'holy war' against gay parade
Compromise reached between gay rights groups, police, Jerusalem Municipality, and State Prosecution to hold gay parade on November 10. Extreme rightist threatens to thwart event
Following many struggles and a High Court petition, an agreement has been reached: the Gay pride parade will be held in Jerusalem on November 10.
The decision was made after talks that lasted three hours at the High Court compound in Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem Municipality will coordinate the necessary preparation for the event with organizers and the Jerusalem police will oversee security.
The Open House gay group turned to the High Court with a request to revoke a police ban on holding the event in Jerusalem.
Noa Satatt, Open House director-general, said the group turned to the High Court "to secure the right to freedom of expression for the community in Jerusalem, and in order to receive a final date."
Marzel announces 'holy war' against parade
Extreme rightist Baruch Marzel said upon leaving the courtroom that, "There will be a holy war against this event. The outcome was predictable. We will do everything we can to thwart the parade."
Even before entering the courthouse, a stormy argument broke out between the two sides. Municipal council member from the National Religious Party, Mina Panton presented to those present a picture taken in Jerusalem of graffiti saying "Jerusalem is proud and liberated" above which two lions riding one another were sketched. "This is a disgrace to the symbol of Jerusalem, which is holier than the Israeli flag."
Members of the Open House organization explained, "This is a symbol of freedom of expression and our right to live in this city."
The Open House group has planned to hold the parade on September 21 in Jerusalem, but the Jerusalem police opposed the date citing it coincides with the Jewish festive season.
Plans to hold the parade in mid-summer were canceled when the war with Hizbullah broke out.
Dozens of haredi men clashed with over 4,000 parade participants in the parade in the capital last year. A young haredi stabbed three people.
Thirteen religious men were arrested for attempting to block roads in the city to disturb the proceedings.
