UPDATE: “Jerusalem’s orthodox rain on gay parade”

Shlomo Amar, Israel’s Chief Rabbi, joining protests against the pride march scheduled to happen in Jerusalem on November 10, has made the following statement, reported by Ynet News: “I call on all Jews who are concerned with their own and Israel’s existence and on all Israeli rabbis everywhere to rouse a great protest until this evil parade is cancelled.”

The Rabbi’s comments follow remarks by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas political party and former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, who described the event as “filth.”

Last month, the Jerusalem police, State Prosecution, the Jerusalem Municipality and gay rights groups agreed that a gay pride march could take place on November 10, it has been widely opposed by religious groups and right wing conservative politicians.

Last year Jerusalem’s gay and lesbian community headed to court over the cancellation of the Jerusalem Pride Parade. The court ruled that “city officials may not forbid the parade because they hold different beliefs than the marchers.”

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