Jerusalem Gay Pride under high security
June 6, 2019
Thousands of people took to the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to celebrate Gay Pride.
Under the theme "One Community, Many Faces," approximately 10,000 revelers waved rainbow and Israeli flags in tandem.
"Despite the difficulties, it's important to participate, especially in Jerusalem" said Israel Lumbroso, a 28-year-old local.
The event has drawn protest from conservative religious groups in the past.
Around 2,500 plain-clothed and uniformed policemen were on alert following the death of a teenager at the 2015 parade.
On that occasion, a 16-year-old girl was stabbed by a Jewish extremist. The perpetrator is currently serving a life sentence and had only been released three weeks before after a similar violent attack at the 2005 march.
Police made 17 arrests this year, including one person who was carrying a knife.
Read more: Jerusalem Gay Pride held amid hard-line threats
This year's event comes on the day Israel appointed its first openly gay minister.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday named Amir Ohana as interim justice minister. In the past, Ohana has spoken in favor of limiting judicial powers and legislation to give the prime minister immunity from prosecution. Netanyahu is currently facing three corruption hearings
jsi/rt (AP, AFP)