Nihil Obstat

Together in Pride

Jerusalem’s lesbian and gay community succeeded in doing something everyone thought just about impossible: unite the world’s three major monotheistic religions.
Conservative Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders expressed their opposition to a planned gay pride march in Jersusalem. The march ended up being cancelled over security concerns. Last year, three participants were stabbed.

Shlomo Amar, the Grand Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, sent a letter to Benedict XVI, requesting a gesture of support. In response, the Apostolic Nunciature in Israel sent a note to Israel’s Foreign Ministry. “Jerusalem has a sacred character for all the children of Abraham. We call on all relevant authorities to respect this character and to prevent immodest parades and any overt actions which offend the sensibilities of religious communities that reside in Jerusalem and hold her dear.”

Jerusalem police repeatedly warned the violent opposition could lead to tragedy. Last Thursday, faced with new security concerns, organizers gave in to the pressure, shelved the march and offered to hold a more isolated rally at Hebrew University’s stadium. “A lot of people are very happy because a level of purity has been returned to Jerusalem,” said Rabbi Yehuda Levin, head of the Rabbinical Alliance of America. “The holy city of Jerusalem now breathes a sigh of relief that it is not going to be sullied by this kind of event.”

“We are struggling with something that is much deeper than gay rights,” Sa’ar Nathaniel, Jerusalem’s only openly gay Council member said. “We are struggling about the image of Jerusalem: Will it be pluralistic and tolerant and democratic, or a twin city of Tehran or Kabal?”

If anyone can sympathize with the sorrow and the fury some religious leaders can inspire, Catholics can. My heart goes out all the lesbians and gays in Israel, in Jerusalem, and especially to the to the religious people who wanted to march in a city dear to them. Sad. Sad. Sad.