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Jerusalem Mayor Accused Of Undermining World Pride Celebration
The daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot reports that Lupolianski, Jerusalem's first Orthodox mayor, promised his 95-year-old Rabbi and spiritual mentor that he will do "everything in his power" to prevent the World Pride from taking place.
Jerusalem Mayor Accused Of Undermining World Pride Celebration
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 18, 2005 5:01 pm. ET
(Jerusalem) Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski is reportedly quietly working to block World Pride 2005 from taking place in the city this summer.
The daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot reports that Lupolianski, Jerusalem's first Orthodox mayor, promised his 95-year-old Rabbi and spiritual mentor that he will do "everything in his power" to prevent the World Pride from taking place.
Lupolianski denies the allegation. In a statement, the mayor's spokesperson Gidi Schmerling said that by law the mayor does not have the authority to approve or prevent city marches.
But, Yediot Aharonot stands by its report.
It accuses the mayor of secretly trying to pressure police not to give the organizers of the even a parade permit.
The paper also accuses Lupolianski of seeking the help an American Orthodox group, Agudath Israel of America to use its connections to thwart the "parade of abominations" from taking place in the city.
Last summer Lupolianski called Jerusalem's Pride celebration "ugly, insulting, offensive and provocative," but he did not move to have the parade banned. Jewish extremists condemned the mayor for not acting and he was given a special security detail for several days leading up to the event. (story) .
Even so, Pride celebrations were marred by ultra-conservative religious groups hurling rotten eggs as the parade marched down Ben Yehuda Mall.
World Pride, to be held betwee August 18 and 28 is expected to draw more than 100,000 gays and lesbians from around the world to the Holy City. The last World Pride was held in 2000 in Rome.
Jerusalem's Gay and Lesbian Center which is organizing this year's World Pride said that despite the mayor the event will "definitely take place".
"This is a unique opportunity for Jerusalem in terms of its public image, and represents a huge opportunity for the city," said Hagai El-Ad, the executive director of the Center.
©365Gay.com 2005
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 18, 2005 5:01 pm. ET
(Jerusalem) Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski is reportedly quietly working to block World Pride 2005 from taking place in the city this summer.
The daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot reports that Lupolianski, Jerusalem's first Orthodox mayor, promised his 95-year-old Rabbi and spiritual mentor that he will do "everything in his power" to prevent the World Pride from taking place.
Lupolianski denies the allegation. In a statement, the mayor's spokesperson Gidi Schmerling said that by law the mayor does not have the authority to approve or prevent city marches.
But, Yediot Aharonot stands by its report.
It accuses the mayor of secretly trying to pressure police not to give the organizers of the even a parade permit.
The paper also accuses Lupolianski of seeking the help an American Orthodox group, Agudath Israel of America to use its connections to thwart the "parade of abominations" from taking place in the city.
Last summer Lupolianski called Jerusalem's Pride celebration "ugly, insulting, offensive and provocative," but he did not move to have the parade banned. Jewish extremists condemned the mayor for not acting and he was given a special security detail for several days leading up to the event. (story) .
Even so, Pride celebrations were marred by ultra-conservative religious groups hurling rotten eggs as the parade marched down Ben Yehuda Mall.
World Pride, to be held betwee August 18 and 28 is expected to draw more than 100,000 gays and lesbians from around the world to the Holy City. The last World Pride was held in 2000 in Rome.
Jerusalem's Gay and Lesbian Center which is organizing this year's World Pride said that despite the mayor the event will "definitely take place".
"This is a unique opportunity for Jerusalem in terms of its public image, and represents a huge opportunity for the city," said Hagai El-Ad, the executive director of the Center.
©365Gay.com 2005
For more information:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/01/011805i...
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In other words, Lupolanski can't do a damn thing. Israel's courts are pro-gay and national law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It just isn't his decision.
Lupolanski doesn't have a facist leg to stand on.
When people refer to an "Orthodox" Jew, they usually mean ultra-Orthodox.
In Israel Jews are overwhelmingly Orthodox, whether they're religious or secular or "traditional". i.e. somewhat religiously observant.