Israeli police okay Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM: Israeli police said on Sunday they have given their approval in principle for the annual Jerusalem Gay Pride parade on June 21, despite fierce opposition from religious groups.   

"We agreed in principle at a meeting with the organisers that this demonstration can go ahead," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.   

"The details of the demonstration, especially its itinerary, will be examined later," he added.   

The request to stage the annual event was lodged by the 'Open House' Israeli gay rights association.   

Last year, a much-delayed Gay Pride parade through the streets of Jerusalem was called off after violent protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews and denunciations by other religious leaders of what they branded an affront to the sanctity of the Holy City.   

The event was instead held under tight security on November 10 inside a stadium.   

During a 2005 Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, an ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed and wounded three participants. He was later jailed for 12 years.   

Despite the hostility to such events in Jerusalem, Gay Pride marches are held in the commercial capital Tel Aviv each year in a carnival atmosphere.   

Religious Israeli lawmakers said last week that they plan to submit a bill that would allow the Jerusalem authorities headed by ultra-Orthodox mayor Uri Lupolyansky, instead of the police, to ban events such as Gay Pride that "undermine public order or religious beliefs and morals".