Thousands march in Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem
Amid tensions and mass protests over equal surrogacy rights for gay couples in Israel, tens of thousands of people marched in what is being billed as the largest-ever Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem.
The march, which began at Liberty Bell Park under heavy police protection, marks three years since an ultra-Orthodox zealot, Yishai Schlissel, stabbed teenage marcher Shira Banki to death and wounded several others.
Organizers said an estimated 30,000 people joined the march, which ended at Independence Park after winding its way down Keren Hayesod, Hillel and Moshe Ben Yisrael streets.
Some 2,500 police officers were deployed to guard the parade, including Border Police and plainclothes officers. Police restricted entry points to the march and performed security checks.
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The religious nuts were kept at bay this year. Thankfully!
