Holy war against pride parade (Jerusalem)

[Meeker Morgan]

From Ynet News (liberal Israeli paper)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3321178,00.html

Haredim promise violence if parade takes place, tell J'lem police chief 'will not give up, dialogue or negotiate'

Haredim keep threatening to strike the gay parade scheduled to take place in Jerusalem in two weeks. Most recently, Jerusalem Police Chief Maj. Gen. Ilan Franko met Sunday with Haredi leader Yitzhak Tuvia Weiss.

Franko asked to learn about the stance of Haredi rabbis who declared their intent of a 'Million Man Protest' against the parade. Police did not release details of the meeting.

A source close to the rabbi said that Weiss told Franko that he cannot promise the police chief that there won't be Haredi violence at the march.

"The rabbi declared there'd be a war over this, that we couldn't stay silent about it. We cannot give up or compromise about this," the source said.

--- SNIP ---

"The last few days have proven that we're not just fighting for the rights of the gay community in Jerusalem, but rather for anyone who believes in liberty and human rights. We call on the community at large to join us in our struggle."

Perhaps no worse than USA Christian fundies, but then none of our cities are "holy" cities.

At least the police and a good deal of the populace are on our side, but they may be overwhelmed.


NOTE: These Haredim are not Hassidim such as you see organizing in New York City. They are extreme "regular" Orthodox.