Knesset okays law banning pride parade [View All]

Two bills aimed at preventing gay pride parade from being held in Jerusalem, and across Israel, approved in first reading by Knesset Wednesday. 'This bill is meant to prevent bloodshed and internal strife,' NRP MK explains

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3409518,00.html

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"The Knesset approved Wednesday in a first reading two bills aimed at preventing the gay pride parade from taking place in Jerusalem, and in any other place in the country.

The bills were submitted by MK Eliahu Gabbay (National Union-NRP) and Shas MKs.

The proposed amendment to Basic Law: Jerusalem, initiated by MK Gabbay, would enable the Jerusalem municipal council to ban parades and rallies in town for considerations of disturbance to public order, offending the public's sensitivities or for religious considerations.

Forty MKs voted for Gabbay's bill and 23 opposed.

The Shas bill is more comprehensive and calls for a ban on pride parades throughout the country. The bill was also approved, with 41 MKs voting for it and 21 opposed.

The Prime minister's office stated that "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert does not think that Jerusalem is the appropriate location for holding gay-pride parades due to the special sensitive nature of the city, although he believes that such matters should not be limited by law."