Gay holy days: The Israeli Supreme Court is considering a case where a gay group is demanding a permit to hold its pride march on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 23, according to the Jewish Telegraph Agency. Apparently, the recent dust-up in Lebanon led to cancellation of the originally scheduled parade.
Officials with Jerusalem Open House said they submitted the petition Monday in conjunction with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel after a proposed parade date was refused and police didn’t respond to requests for several alternate dates.
Police officials have said the initial proposed date in September was too close to the holidays.
“We are demanding that the police protect our freedom of speech and right of assembly, and not submit to violent threats,” said Noa Sattath, incoming executive director of Jerusalem Open House, a center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people that is trying to organize the march.
Organizers said they postponed the parade in August due to Israel’s war with Hezbollah and following police warnings that they might not be able to ensure safety at the march.
