Jerusalem Gay Pride: Six Marchers Stabbed

**bb1** Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:12 pm

http://news.sky.com/story/1527962/jerusalem-gay-pride-six-marchers-stabbed

Jerusalem Gay Pride: Six Marchers Stabbed
A witness tells Israeli television an ultra-Orthodox youth "stabbed everyone in his way" as screaming people ran for cover.

Six people taking part in an annual Gay Pride march in Jerusalem have been stabbed by an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man, police say.

Around 5,000 marchers waving banners were heading down an avenue when the attack happened.

Witness Shai Aviyor told Channel 2 television: "I saw an ultra-Orthodox youth stabbing everyone in his way.

"We heard people screaming, everyone ran for cover, and there were bloodied people on the ground."

Other witnesses told Channel 2 a man rushed the marchers and stabbed multiple people before police jumped on him and arrested him.

A paramedic with the Magen David Adom rescue service said at least six people were injured, two of whom appear to be in a serious condition.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said a suspected ultra-Orthodox Jewish man had stabbed at least four marchers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the stabbings, describing them as a "most serious incident".

He said: "We will prosecute those responsible to the full extent of the law. Freedom of individual choice is a basic value in Israel."

It is the worst attack in years on the event in a city where the religious population is more prominent than in other parts of the country.

The march has been a cause of tension between Israel's predominantly secular majority and the ultra-Orthodox Jewish minority, who object to public displays of homosexuality.

The event takes place annually in the more gay friendly city of Tel Aviv without incident, but in Jerusalem violence has erupted in the past.

A similar attack took place at the 2005 event.

Oded Fried, the head of a leading gay rights group, said the event would continue despite the attack.

He said: "Our struggle for equality only intensifies in the face of such events."

When -isms collide - good to see Muslims and Orthodox Jews can agree about something.....