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Previous ultra-Orthodox riots (file)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners June 18, 2007 |
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More than 1,000 police officers were dispatched in Jerusalem Sunday evening as approximately 10,000 ultra-Orthodox took to the capital's streets to protest Thursday's scheduled gay pride parade.
Though the gathering began peacefully, it ended in violence. Seven police were injured by stone-throwing, one being sent to a nearby hospital.
The protesters also set trashcans ablaze. By the end of the rally, 13 of the 24 protesters that were arrested were detained.
According to the Jerusalem Post, there was a strikingly low turnout at the rally against an issue so controversial in the ultra-Orthodox community.
"The relatively small number of protesters represented stunning defeat for the haredi [ultra-Orthodox]organizers of the protest, who had expected as many as 100,000 people to turn out in force, and reflected the differences of opinion in the haredi world whether clashes with police at the event would serve their cause, with some Rabbis pointedly ordering their students to stay away from the event," reported the Jerusalem Post Monday.
Recently, ultra-Orthodox have stoned police and set trashcans on fire. Four 10-year-old ultra-Orthodox boys were caught by police Sunday throwing stones at cars.
These demonstrations mirror last fall's continued and often violent protests of a gay pride parade scheduled to be held in Jerusalem. The parade was eventually moved to a closed arena setting due to security risks.
Last week Jerusalem Police Chief Ilan Franco approved the Open House group's request to hold the parade in Jerusalem.
The parade is to be held next Thursday, and 7,000 police officers are expected to monitor the event.
Pride-promoting flyers posted in ultra-Orthodox neighborhood
On Monday unlikely flyers promoting the upcoming gay pride parade were found by Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox, Ynetnews reported.
"Pashkevils," as they are called, are instigating flyers posted in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods on walls and notice boards.
This pashkevil began in a traditional manner, saying "hail the call of the shofar," but continued by "warning against the hate and incitement... God have mercy of those who slander against their brethren," stated the report.
The pashkevil continued, "Let us come with our masses to this great, peaceful, dignified and democratic march and defy the minority inciting us to violence. "Hatred is a dangerous, infections disease. Let us all prove that Judaism does not mean fascism and bloodshed."
The flyer is signed by "Citizens for an equal, sane Israel," which is believed to be connected with Meretz youth.
Stan Goodenough contributed to this report. |
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