Friday November 17, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 46 |
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Saturday, Jul 19, 2008
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NINE THOUSAND RALLY FOR GAY PRIDE IN JERUSALEM |
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| NINE THOUSAND RALLY FOR GAY PRIDE IN JERUSALEM | ||
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JERUSALEM, November 10-- "Jerusalem Gay Pride was a huge success, and
passed
peaceably," said Noa Sattath, Executive Director of JOH. "We must
continue
to advocate for equality and from freedom of speech here. Jerusalem is
home
to many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. I am proud of
the way
the community faced the violence and hatred directed at us these past
few
weeks. As a community we didn't respond with hate or violence, but
instead
stood dignified and determined." Activist leaders, artists and politicians presented inspirational and thought-provoking speeches at the rally. "There is more than one way to be Jewish," said Sami Michael, an Israeli novelist who presented the opening speech. Knesset members Dov Hanin and Zehava Gal-on spoke about the struggle for freedom of speech and described relations between the ultra-Orthodox and Gay communities as a crucial test for the Israeli democracy. Adam Russo, the man who was stabbed by an assailant during the previous Jerusalem Gay pride march, brought the blood-stained flag he held during the attack and vowed that the community will not be deterred by blood or by violence. Also in attendance was Dana Olmert, the out Lesbian daughter of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Dana Olmert later stated to the media that she was upset that the Israeli government did not do more to support the event. The JOH reported that a large portion of the crowd were supportive heterosexuals who wanted to express their solidarity with Jerusalem's Gay community. Many held signs reading, "Straights in support of the community," "We are straight and love Gay people", and "Straights against violence." The JOH had originally planned a Pride March through Jerusalem. Anti-Gay riots erupted in Jerusalem in protest. "The streets of Jerusalem are burning," said Kleinbaum. "For the past several weeks, ultra-Orthodox protesters have been rioting, setting fires, and throwing stones at passing motorists, police and firefighters. They called for the death of the leaders of the Jerusalem Open House, invoking the same rabbinic curse that was leveled against Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin days before his assassination. This is bigotry in the name of religion inciting violence against GLBT people. Religious bigots from other faith traditions have expressed support for these protesters and voiced similar sentiments denouncing the JOH march." In the end, it was emerging national security issues, not the rioting and threats of violence, which led the JOH to change the march into a rally. Israeli police had originally planned to post 9,000 officers to protect those at the Gay Pride march. After the Israeli military tragically killed 18 Palestinian civilians in a shelling attack in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Israeli security forces went on a heightened state of alert to guard against a Palestinian attack. "Our decision to change our March to a rally was due to the fighting in Gaza," stated Sattath. "In Israel, issues of national security change quickly and dramatically and we at the JOH take this very seriously. We have a social responsibility to our community. After the shelling attack in Gaza, we knew that the new drains on security meant it wasn't feasible for us to have the March. Gays in Jerusalem are not only Gay; we are also part of the community at large." Although organizers were deeply disturbed by the anti-Gay riots and violence, they noted that the negative reaction to their event attracted international attention to the issue of Gay rights in Jerusalem. "The incitement and violence that preceded our event turned it into one of the most important human rights demonstrations of recent years," said Sattath. NEW YORK, November 9-- The controversy regarding Jerusalem Gay Pride stretched beyond its country's borders. In New York City, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested in front of the Israeli Consulate November 9, the day before the rally. Protesters called for a halt to the march, carrying black and white signs reading "Judaism Prohibits Homosexuality," and "Abomination Parade in Jerusalem: Shame on You." Nearby, members of CBST and MCCNY held a peaceful demonstration in support of GLBT Israelis. Their signs read, "We are all created in God's image," and "Jerusalem belongs to all of us." As thousands of anti-Gay protesters climbed out of busses and assembled, Rabbis Kleinbaum and Ayelet Cohen, and Rev. Pat Bumgardner stood with their signs nearby. "As more ultra-Orthodox arrived, the police tried to make us leave the area and return to the 'Gay' area down the street," said Rev. Bumgardner. "We explained that it was legal for us to stand where we were, so long as we didn't block the sidewalk or cross into the ultra-Orthodox area. We agreed not to bring our whole group over and to not engage the protesters. The police on duty even called the District Attorney's office, who told them that we were correct about our rights." The three continued to stand near the ultra-Orthodox protesters, their rainbow-colored signs bobbing in a sea of black and white signs and protesters. "Some of the ultra-Orthodox protesters were incensed at our presence," said Rabbi Cohen. "They refused to respond to police requests that they stay within their own area and that they not engage us." Inexplicably, police ended up forcibly removing Rabbi Kleinbaum and Rev. Bumgardner from the area. They arrested Rabbi Kleinbaum for creating a public disturbance. "It was unjust and bizzare that I was arrested and that we were physically removed from the area when we were acting legally and following police orders," said Kleinbaum, who received a summons to appear in court in December. "The police should have taken action against the ultra-Orthodox protesters who refused to respond to their requests." "Congregation Beth Simchat Torah stands behind the actions of Rabbi Kleinbaum and Rev. Bumgardner," said Rabbi Cohen. "They acted nobly and legally: we have the right to assemble and the right to free speech. CBST also stands in solidarity with our partner organization, the JOH, in calling for an end to the hate-motivated violence against Gay people in Jerusalem and in declaring the necessity for freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly for all people in Israel." "Tolerance is holy," said Kleinbaum. "Local GLBT groups, whether they are in Jerusalem, Albany or Queens, should be able to march through the streets of their communities, and without fear of bodily harm. For centuries, violence has been used to intimidate, if not obliterate, marginalized groups, including Jews and Gay people. When religious people employ these means, it is as tragic as it is predictable." Rabbi Kleinbaum, Noa Sattath, Rabbi Cohen, and other Gay leaders are available to speak to the press about last week's event. Please contact Syd Peterson for further information. Photos from Thursday's demonstration in New York and Friday's Gay Pride Rally in Jerusalem are available upon request. Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) is the world's largest synagogue serving Jews of all sexual orientations and gender identities. (www.cbst.org) |
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