Conflict Puts Gay-Pride Parade on Hold

JERUSALEM

In light of fighting on Israel's northern and southern borders, organizers of an international gay-pride parade slated to take place in Jerusalem have delayed the march indefinitely.

"It's important for us to hold the march under safe and peaceful circumstances, and obviously, at this time, due to the political circumstances in the region, that's not the case," said Hagai El-Ad, executive director of Jerusalem Open House, a center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people that is organizing the weeklong World Pride 2006 events.

Police had also indicated that they might not be able to protect the three-hour event due to potentially violent opposition, as well as Israel's current conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinians in Gaza.

Expected to attract more than 10,000 participants from around the world, the parade sparked strong opposition among religious Jews, Muslims and Christians, who said the holy city was an inappropriate venue.

While the Aug. 10 march will not take place, about 40 other gay-pride events planned for World Pride 2006 -- including a film festival, a health day and an interfaith conference -- will take place beginning Aug. 6, according to organizers, who added that a new date for the march will be announced once fighting stops.

Police officials said that anywhere from dozens to "hundreds of thousands" of protesters had intended to confront march participants "with the goal of hurting them physically."

Even with reinforcements, police might not have been able to allow the march in its requested format, according to a July 20 letter from Jerusalem District Police Chief Ilan Franco's office.

Organizers suggested alternate parade routes, to no avail.

Opponents cheered the parade's delay, and vowed to continue fighting its occurrence.

Nevertheless, American synagogues and Jewish groups are still sending delegations to Jerusalem for World Pride activities.

"As long as there are planes going from New York to Tel Aviv, my synagogue is still going," said Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, head of New York's Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, one of the largest gay synagogues in the world.

The delegation from Congregation Beth Simchat Torah is to leave Aug. 5, and will be joined in Jerusalem by other North American delegations, including one from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which leaves Aug. 3, and San Francisco's Jewish Community Relations Council.

Kleinbaum, also North American co-chair of World Pride, said "there's no question it will be a smaller event" with the parade delayed, but the important thing is "the message that we're bringing: Tolerance is holy."