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Friday June 14, 2002

Gays march in Jerusalem as haredim decry event

ETGAR LEFKOVITS
Jerusalem Post Service

Hundreds of policemen and policewomen patrolled downtown streets, which were decorated with balloons and flags, while the controversial event passed without incident.

At the start of the march, police detained at least one activist of the outlawed Kach movement, self-declared spokesman Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had planned to pelt the demonstrators with eggs and tomatoes but was quickly detained by police.

Separated by scores of police, a small group of haredim held a demonstration against the event, which they viewed as an abomination.

Waving placards that read "This is not Sodom" and "Go back to the closet," the demonstrators chanted "Homos go home."

"This is an immense desecration to God," said protester Mordechai Ben-Ya'acov from Mitzpeh Yeriho.

Passersby doing their Friday shopping in the city center who chanced upon the parade openly argued with one another, with most voicing opposition to the event.

"Believe me, this country is just going from bad to worse. There are certain norms to a society, and a country that has no norms is committing suicide. What is right for Amsterdam isn't necessarily right for Jerusalem," a resident said.

"I don't have to agree with them, but it's their right to hold a parade. They are not bothering me," another countered.

Participants said that, if anything, they were bringing "happiness and honor" to the city.

"Finally there is some life to the city's pedestrian mall, which has for months been forlorn due to terror attacks," said marcher Danny Savitch, who noted with glee that the gala event was being held at Independence Park, which in the past has been a frequent gay social center.

Conspicuous in their absence were haredi elements, several of whom could be seen along the route of the parade, rebuking the crowd. Some rabbis had said that even mentioning the parade -- let alone watching it -- was strictly forbidden.

One man blowing a shofar and calling for redemption was taken away by police.

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