World Pride's Jerusalem plans sparks outrage
Some fear gay march could trigger riots
By LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Jun 29, 9:47 AM

Jewish and Muslim religious leaders say that an international Gay Pride gathering set for Aug. 6-12 in Jerusalem could trigger a worldwide Islamic uprising more intense than the riots and bloodshed generated by the cartoons in European newspapers of the profit Mohammed.

Representatives of conservative Christian groups joined Muslim and Orthodox Jewish leaders last week in demanding that organizers of World Pride Jerusalem cancel a series of planned Gay Pride events, including a march through Jerusalem's streets.

"We are faced with the prospect of six days of promiscuity and debauchery unparalleled in the Middle East," said American Rabbi Yehuda Levin at a June 21 news conference in Jerusalem.

Organizers of World Pride Jerusalem call these predictions scare tactics aimed at discouraging people from attending. They point to the domestic Israeli Gay Pride marches that have taken place in Jerusalem during the past four years, with no organized violence or backlash developing from Islamic or other religious groups.

The U.S. State Department has long warned Americans about the risks of travel to the occupied West Bank, which includes Jerusalem. The State Department "urges U.S. citizens to carefully weigh the necessity of their travel to Israel, … and defer unnecessary travel to the West Bank," which includes Jerusalem. the rest