Tel Aviv mayor: Pride Parade is example of tolerance
Eli Senyor 06.11.09, 12:25 / Israel News
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai stressed Thursday that he would not let any outsiders break the city’s tradition of holding an annual Pride Parade. He said this in response to Shas Chairman Eli Yishai’s demands to have the parade, scheduled for Friday, cancelled.
Huldai said support of the gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders will only grow. "I greet the gay community on its holiday, that has been expanded to an entire month in the first Hebrew city’s 100th year, and offers cultural and artistic events in the community.
"Tel Aviv - Jaffa, that last year opened the municipal community center for the city’s gay community, will continue to provide a warm home and example of tolerance and openness that will influence and pave the way for other places in Israel," he said.
Certain that the bond with the gay community is only good for the city, Huldai said, "One of Tel Aviv - Jaffa’s main characteristics is the diversity of different groups and communities that live in the city and feel at home in it.