"It wasn't a coincidence that the bible compared homosexual relations with bestiality and sentenced to death those who were caught performing it," Ze'ev said.

The bill before the Knesset's Legislative Committee would allow city officials in Jerusalem to ban gay pride. The Orthodox Shas Party has tried for several years to get pride marches blocked.

Knesset member Gal-On said the remarks by Ze'ev showed "great ignorance".

The Association of Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders - AGUDAH - said that if the bill passes it would turn the city into "the international capital of darkness."

Last June, moments before the gay pride march was to begin in Jerusalem police arrested a man carrying a homemade bomb. Police said the 32 year old said he planned to detonate it near the parade route to scare people away. (story)

The arrest was one of nearly 200 as members of the haredi, an ultra-Orthodox sect, rioted for several days leading up to the parade. Garbage cans were set on fire and stones thrown at police. Twenty-two officers were reportedly injured.

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