Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals*
By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 2:24am GMT 07/11/2006
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.
Ultra-orthodox Jews burn rubbish yesterday during a protest against the
rally in Jerusalem in support of homosexuals’ rights
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 bearing the message
"sodomites out", orders were given for 12,000 officers to deploy across
Jerusalem during the march, which is planned for Friday. Last night,
lawyers from both sides were wrangling at the High Court over whether
the parade should be allowed to take place and, if so, where. With the
court expected to convene another hearing today, it appeared that the
parade would take place but at a new location near the parliament, a
safe distance from orthodox neighbourhoods.
The issue of the parade 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 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," he said. "All religions
discredit gays because it is against the decent human nature created by
God."
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Ultra-orthodox Jews have protested for three nights, setting up burning
barricades and throwing rocks at police. Thirty protesters were arrested
and six policemen 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."
Homosexuality was legalised in Israel 18 years ago, but gay rights
campaigners said many homosexuals were intimidated by Jerusalem's
strongly homophobic atmosphere. 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.
# Israeli troops faced their first attack by a female suicide bomber
while in combat yesterday when an 18-year-old Palestinian blew herself
up at an Israeli army checkpoint in the Gazan town of Beit Hanoun. One
soldier was injured.