National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at a briefing ahead of the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem (Ministry of National Security)
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir held an assessment today (Wednesday) on the security of the gay pride parade that will be held tomorrow in Jerusalem. In the background is the intention of Lehava, headed by Benzi Gopstein and whom Ben-Gvir knows well, to hold a demonstration alongside the marchers in the gay pride parade.
"There must be maximum possibility of freedom of expression, the right to protest, which is a basic right and the lifeblood of democracy, it is permissible to demonstrate in the State of Israel for anything. Of course my policy, on my watch, is that people can demonstrate against the gay pride parade as well," Ben-Gvir said, adding: "I don't want a person with an ultra-Orthodox or religious appearance to automatically be detained. This is not what the poet meant when he talks about freedom of expression and freedom of movement in the State of Israel."
Ben-Gvir said that the mother of a boy from the gay community approached him: "She asked me what will happen next at the gay pride parade? I pinched myself and said to her: 'Isn't it clear to you that I want to keep your child safe so that his hair doesn't fall out?' That's my job, that's my shift. Of course, it will be the role of the police to safeguard, secure and make sure that even if the minister has a disagreement with the parade, above all the safety of those marchers."
Gay Pride Parade, Itamar Ben-Gvir (Photo processing, Jonathan Zindel, Flash 90)
Last week, the organizers called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to allow Ben-Gvir to oversee the security of the parade. "The minister of national security is not suitable to supervise the parade and maintain the peace of the marchers – his presence in the police command post and his potential for unacceptable interference in the complex security operation arouses deep concern for us," they wrote.
Earlier this month, a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threatening march organizers. He was eventually banned from Pride events for six months. The man, a resident of the Ma'ale Ephraim settlement in Samaria, wished in an email to Open House members Friday Schlissel, who murdered 15-year-old Shira Banki at a gay pride parade eight years ago, "will be there to finish the work he started."
The suspect added, "Disgusting, how is this mental illness celebrated." The open house noted that this was a man who had sent additional threats and hateful words in recent years.
Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem (Photo: TPS, Shalev Shalom)
"About 15,00 Jerusalem District police officers and overt and covert Border Police fighters, assisted by reinforcements and volunteers, under the command of Jerusalem District Commander Major General Doron Turgeman, will operate along the route of the march, in the gathering areas and in the streets adjacent to the parade routes, to maintain the participants' camp, maintain public order and direct traffic," the police statement said.
The marchers will gather at the Bell Garden starting at 17:00, and at <>:<> they will start walking along the route from the Bell Garden, through King David, Palomar, Keren Hayesod, King-George, Hillel, Menashe Ben-Israel streets. At the end of the event, the marchers will gather at Independence Park.
The police clarified that entry to the parade route will be possible only through the gathering area in the Bell Park, Paris Square, King David Street (near Plumer Square) and Histadrut/Shammai Street, where police officers and security guards will conduct security checks as needed. In addition, departure from the parade route will be possible only from these places.
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