Anti-gay pride parade heads to Sakhnin

            Right-wing activists headed by MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union), Baruch Marzel and Itamar ben-Gvir are planning to stage "Jewish pride parades" in 15 Arab towns across the country as a response to the gay pride parade that is scheduled to take place in Jerusalem this week. "There has to be one rule for everyone," said the organizers. "Freedom of expression and the right to march are not only for the people of the [gay community's] Open House and the far-left. We have the right to march and review the illegal construction in the cities and the towns and, of course, to hold marches with Israeli flags." The activists cited a previous decision by the High Court of Justice allowing them to hold a demonstration with Israeli flags in Umm el-Fahm, saying, "The right of the people of the abomination parade to march through the streets of Jerusalem is our very right to march in Sakhnin and Lakiya." If the marches would be forbidden by police, the activists warned, they would appeal the decision in the High Court of Justice. The activists said they would also hold a small demonstration across from the Open House in Jerusalem for Pride and Tolerance on the day of the parade. Last week, Rabbi Tuvia Weiss, head of the ultra-Orthodox Eda Haredit's Rabbinic Court, issued a directive to his community to refrain from demonstrating against the parade. (14,14)