Just one day after organizers announced that a Gay Pride parade postponed due to the war in Lebanon was to be rescheduled for just before the Rosh Hashana holiday, Jerusalem police have apparently put the kibosh on those plans by sending a statement to the press rather than engaging with parade planners.
Said the police: “If we are presented with other dates, we will reexamine them and approve them.”
The cancellation angered organizers, who say it is an attempt to squelch their freedom of expression:
“The police are issuing statements to the press instead of responding in a matter-of-fact manner. We will struggle to hold the parade and will hold it as planned on September 21. It is important that the Jerusalem Municipality and the police do not attempt to stand in the way of the freedom of speech. They should regain their composure and enter a matter-of-fact dialogue with the Open House regarding the parade which will be held on September 21. If needed, we will not hesitate to petition the court. The Open House has yet to receive any official response from the police on the request submitted regarding the parade…”
Orthodox Jews in Russia recently urged city authorities to ban the parade, calling it “scandalous blasphemy” that would incite violence.
