ISRAEL: JEWS & MOSLEMS UNITE TO STOP A GAY RIGHTS RALLY

Jews and Muslims unite against gay rally
Tim Butcher in Jerusalem

JEWS and Muslims in Jerusalem have found common ground in their fierce opposition to a gay rights rally due to be held in the city this week.

Leaders from both faiths have united to denounce the parade, which has prompted nights of street protest by ultra-orthodox Jews - who regard homosexuality as an "abomination" - and death threats against those taking part.

After Israeli police found and defused a bomb carrying the message "sodomites out", orders were given for 12,000 officers to deploy across Jerusalem during the march, planned for Friday.

Lawyers were wrangling at the High Court on Monday over whether the parade should be allowed to take place. With the court expected to convene another hearing yesterday, it seemed it would go ahead but at a new location away from orthodox neighbourhoods.

The issue is generating more media coverage than the Israeli military incursion into Gaza, which has left more than 50 Palestinians dead. The city's Islamic leadership is also opposed to the parade, with Tayseer Tamimi, the head of the Palestinian Supreme Council of Sharia Litigation, leading Muslim opposition.

"This march tries to destroy the moral and spiritual values for youths," Mr Tamimi said.

Ultra-orthodox Jews have protested for three nights, setting up burning barricades and throwing rocks at police. Thirty protesters were arrested and six police officers hurt as water cannon was deployed to put out fires and disperse crowds.

"This isn't the gay pride parade but the disgrace parade," said Yaakov Cohen, an MP from the United Torah Judaism party.

Ben Yizri, an MP for the ultra-orthodox Shas party, part of Israel's ruling coalition, said: "We believe God will be very upset."

Noa Satath, of Open House, the group planning the parade, said it marked an important step in bringing homosexuality "out of the closet" in Jerusalem.

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Telegraph, London; The New York Times