The abominable parade scheduled to take place last Friday at
the Government Compound in Jerusalem was cancelled at the
last moment, following prayers and protests by the Jewish and
chareidi public in Eretz Yisroel and around the
world.
After a technical mishap by IDF artillery caused the deaths
of 19 civilians in the Gaza Strip, Israeli intelligence
reported 80 specific terrorist attack warnings had been
received and the Jerusalem Police gave notice that under the
circumstances it lacked the resources to provide security for
the abominable event scheduled for Friday morning. Event
organizers were told they could hold a small event at a
closed site.
The police also met with chareidi representatives, including
a meeting between Jerusalem Police Commander Ilan Franco and
members of the Eida Chareidis Beis Din. After a special
shaliach consulted with Maran HaRav Eliashiv
shlita, it was decided to call off the massive counter
demonstration planned in Jerusalem as well as demonstrations
in other parts of Eretz Yisroel.
According to rabbonim and public figures the resolute,
persistent and uncompromising struggle waged by the chareidi
public led to the cancellation of the horrendous event in the
streets of the Holy City, an event whose sole aim was to
profane Jerusalem's sanctity and offend millions of Jews
around the world. The justice system disgraced itself once
again by upholding the organizers' right to hold the
offensive event as scheduled, saying that it is important
because it exemplifies freedom of expression, while a
majority of Israeli citizens and leaders across the political
spectrum — the Jerusalem Municipality and Mayor
Lupoliansky, the government and the Prime Minister and the
majority of the Knesset — expressed their firm
opposition to the divisive event.
The Attorney General and the High Court, particularly High
Court President Dorit Beinish, must come to the obvious
conclusion public sensitivities carry more weight than the
"democratic values" and "freedom of expression" of fringe
groups, said rabbonim and public figures.
Following concerted efforts by Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri
Lupoliansky, MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni and Deputy Mayor Rabbi Uri
Maklev the police agreed to release all of the protesters
arrested during last week's demonstrations.
