Holy city? or Homo city? Israel stands up and out despite protests

"This is not a homo-city; this is a holy city."

So decried an orthodox cleric over the decision made by Jerusalem's attorney general to allow a gay pride parade through the streets of the revered city.

Has the irony sunk in yet?

There is no doubt that the city is steeped in historical meaning. Jews viewed the city as a holy place more than 3,000 years ago; Muslims trace their lineage back to former Jerusalem residents and consider one temple in the city as the third holiest site in the world; while, Christians continue to see this place as a the city where Jesus was crucified. Yet the common bond among all religions and people is that Jerusalem (along with Israel, as a whole) was populated and has evolved under a cloud of hate and prejudice.

The very fact that Israel exists is because the world turned its back on a group of people because of their life practices. Now, the same is happening inside the walls of one of the world's holiest cities.

Rather than honour the notion of "love thy neighbour" fights and protests have erupted all over the city to protest the planned gay pride parade.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported over the weekend that: Dozens of fervently Orthodox Jews in Mea She’arim rioted at the news that the parade was to proceed, blocking off the city’s Shabbat Square with burning trash cans...The [attorney general's] approval [of the parade] caused a violent riot from hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews which left policemen wounded and saw the arrest of 30 people.

Just over 70 years ago the country was founded to protect ethnicity and religious convictions. Now, the very residents that have benefited from this foundation of love and tolerance are condemning people -- because they disagree with their love and companionship lifestyle.

Thank god for the rule of law.

Despite the close-minded actions of a the minority orthodox and fundamentalist religious groups in Israel, the country's attorney general, Menachem Mazuz, approved the twice-delayed parade in support of "freedom of expression". While religious leaders in the country may not condone the expression of the LGBTQ community it is clear that the country is still (thankfully) ruled by law (based on the very human rights Jews demanded almost a century ago).

While ultra-conservative views will never be changed, it is possible to equip a society and a culture with the facets of tolerance (and, hopefully, acceptance). This can only be done when equality and the freedom to express one's lifestyle choices is protected by for all under the law. While the Israeli government may be getting flak for its decision to proceed with the country's gay pride parade, I applaud their efforts to truly create an inclusive and tolerant society.

After all, that's why Israel, the nation, was first formed.