Gay Parade in Jerusalem June 2007

Holding a parade such as this here in Jerusalem is a touchy issue because of the biblical prohibition on homosexuality.

It has been pointed out that there are biblical prohibitions on murder, theft and many other matters that do not arouse the same public displays of strong feelings. Of course, in the eyes of some, flaunting forbidden matters in a parade might be seen to bring shame upon the holy city.

Indeed some people we have spoken to, say they would rather not see the parade here. Others think there are more serious issues that should incite strong feelings - government corruption, child poverty, and the very divisions between factions that require the presence of 7,000 policemen in order to maintain order.

Whatever the feelings, 7,000 policeman were drafted in to keep the opposing groups apart. For the time we were there, both sides were peaceful in the main, with one or two distasteful exceptions.

The news reported that there were very few incidents of any kind on the day.


The roads were blocked by the police and almost no traffic could enter the city centre



For many in the army and the police it was a relaxing time - but then, the army has made a national badge of honour out of being relaxed



On one side of the barrier soldiers stood guard and on the other side of the barrier, those in the parade enjoyed themselves



The rainbow banner



Untitled



A man looks on thoughtfully from a respectful distance

Jerusalem

A doorway on Emek Refaim Street.

This street, south-west of the Old City, is in what is generally known as the German Colony. For locals it also marks the boundary of Katamon, which is an area that before the 1948 war, was a mixed Christian and Arab neighbourhood. This doorway dates from the Ottoman Period, as is seen from the inscription above the doorway.






Fruit and vegetables
Everywhere in Jerusalem and throughout Israel, there are fruit and vegetable shops, with stalls that spill out onto the street.

And whenever a Jerusalemite seeks to compare the benefits of living in Jerusalem with living in one of the capitals of Europe or of one of the major cities in the USA, at some point, the high quality of the fruit and vegetables available here will be mentioned.

Only in Israel?

A brit mila or circumcision kit on the shelf of a local pharmacy in Jerusalem






Sign at Shareh Chesed Hospital in Jerusalem