Jerusalem Police Authorize Gay Pride Parade But Legislation May Block Event

By Gudrun Schultz

JERUSALEM, Israel, May 29, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Israeli police issued a preliminary letter of permission last week for a homosexual pride parade in Jerusalem, Ynet News reported May 24, but a draft bill coming before the Knesset tomorrow may block the event.

The Ministers Committee for Legislation voted Sunday to approve a bill that would give the city’s council power to ban events deemed dangerous to the public or offensive to religious groups. If the measure passes a vote in the Knesset on Wednesday, it would effectively make the gay pride parade planned for June 21 an illegal event.

“Government support for the legislation would allow the Jerusalem municipality to ban parades and marches that harm the public’s feeling and therefore prevent the humiliation of the holy city by devious and marginal groups,” said Minister Eli Yishai.

The city’s Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities have put up a fierce fight to keep homosexual demonstrations out of a city regarded as holy by millions of faithful world wide. After years of intense battling between religious groups and homosexual activists, the High Court finally intervened last year in favour of the gay organization Open House, ordering the police to permit the controversial event to take place.

The High Court specifically stated that the police must grant the necessary permits and provide security for the event, but the police retained authority to place restrictions on the event.

”t is within the district commander’s jurisdiction to determine, according to the intelligence information and/or evidence he may have at hand, on any restrictions he sees fit to apply to the event, it’s location, and arrangements,” District Chief Commander Ilan Franco wrote in last week’s letter to Open House.