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Israel seeks to scale down or move gay pride parade
05 Nov 2006 20:01:39 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Corinne Heller

JERUSALEM, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Israel's attorney-general ordered police on Sunday to talk to gay leaders to convince them to make a planned gay pride event in Jerusalem more modest, or even move it out of the city, amid fears of violent protests.

For the past week, ultra-Orthodox Jews have rioted against the parade, scheduled for Friday, by blocking roads and burning trash. They threw stones at policemen, wounding six of them and calling them "Nazis." Dozens of protesters were arrested.

"The attorney general has ordered police to evaluate and present a reasonable alternative proposal ... to hold the gay pride parade at a close date in Jerusalem," Israel's Justice Ministry said in a statement.

Shortly after Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz's announcement, several ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated in the city and blocked several roads.

Police had met with Mazuz earlier to discuss concerns that despite a tightening of security ahead of the parade, forces would not be able to prevent violence expected from tens of thousands of mainly ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters.

Thousands of police officers are expected to be on patrol to reinforce the event, which up to 8,000 people are set to attend.

Israeli National Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said police would discuss changing the event with gay leaders over the next few days. He also said it was possible that the parade would be moved just outside of Jerusalem, or rescheduled.

"It's important to come to an agreement for it to take place on an alternative route, for the parade to be conducted in a more modest manner," Rosenfeld said.

A gay pride event last year in Jerusalem was marred by the stabbing of three people by an ultra-Orthodox Jew. More than a dozen protestors were arrested and hundreds threw urine and faeces at marchers.
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