Jerusalem mayor reluctantly accepts gay pride
The mayor of Jerusalem has been told he cannot stop this year’s WorldPride event in the capital of Israel.
Uri Lupoliansky, an orthodox Jew, opposes the parade, but has been told by a Jerusalem municipality spokesman that he cannot stop it taking place.
He is reported to be worried that the celebration will cause tension between religious and secular sections of society.
A spokesman said: “As a municipality, we don’t have any authority to forbid or approve a march.”
Previous gay pride events in the city have been met with petitions and small protests, and last year an orthodox Jew stabbed two participants.
Religious and secular Jews often clash over issues such as keeping the Sabbath and conflicts between the Torah and the law.