The Jerusalem gay pride parade, which regularly riles up religious and haredi city residents [adherents of the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism], is scheduled to take place Thursday under tight security...
The annual march, which is organized by Open House, Jerusalem's small gay and lesbian center... has stirred repeated controversy in the past...
The parade is viewed by most religious Jews - as well as by many traditional Jews and by Christian and Muslim religious leaders - as an abomination and an anathema to biblical values and the holiness of Jerusalem. A public opinion poll has found that two-thirds of Jerusalem residents were opposed to holding such an event in the city....
Over 1,500 police officers... will be on the streets to prevent any altercations or violence... undercover police detectives would be mingling with the crowd to thwart any potential disruptions. The 2005 gay parade in Jerusalem was marred by violence when a haredi man stabbed three participants.
A decision by the Eda Haredit to refrain from demonstrating against the parade is expected to greatly reduce friction... Full story
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