Gay Activists March Through Jerusalem

Gay activists march in a Gay Pride parade as border police officers secure the event, in downtown Jerusalem, Thursday, June 21, 2007. Under heavy police guard, some hundreds of gay activists march in a Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem on Thursday, sparking a noisy counter demonstration by ultra-Orthodox Jews and denunciations by Muslim and Christian leaders. There were no incidents of violence during the short event.(AP Photo/Oded Balilty) (Oded Balilty - AP)

JERUSALEM -- Hundreds of cheering gay activists marched through downtown Jerusalem on Thursday, while ultra-Orthodox Jews held a counterdemonstration across the city, burning tires and chanting psalms.

With police far outnumbering protesters, there was no violence during the brief Gay Pride parade, an annual event that highlights the deep divide between Jerusalem's secular and religious communities.

Gay activists clapped and sang on their trek of just a few hundred yards, passing in front of the historic King David Hotel. Police said 2,500 people took part.

Opponents claim the march debases the Holy City, while gay activists say they are exercising their civil rights. Some 7,000 police were deployed throughout the city to prevent the violence that has marked the Gay Pride march in past years.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have rioted repeatedly in the past week, burning tires, assaulting policemen and damaging police cars. A 32-year-old ultra-Orthodox man was arrested Thursday morning carrying a homemade explosive device. Under questioning, the man said he wanted to plant the explosive along the parade route, said police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld.

Marchers carried multicolored balloons and posters of Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. Three men wore matching pink T-shirts, shiny pink hats and carried pink lace umbrellas. On their shirts were written, "The Israeli Gay Party."

"I am demanding my civil rights, including the right get married and have children," said marcher Guy Frishman, 27. "I want to have rights like every other person."

A few tourists staying at the King David watched in curiosity, while the owners of nearby shops that sell Jewish religious items stood by silently with their arms folded.

Police arrested 19 anti-gay protesters who tried to reach the parade, said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. A lone anti-gay protecters scuffled with police, but there were no violent confrontations.

Organizers said they canceled a gathering in a park at the end of the truncated route because they were unable to get a permit from the fire department.

Across the city, several hundred ultra-Orthodox protesters held their demonstration, bringing traffic to a standstill at the main entrance to Jerusalem. Trash bins were set on fire, sending the stench of burning garbage wafting through the air.

Protest leaders chanted psalms through loudspeakers, and marchers waved banners saying "Shame" and "Israeli Supreme Court: Destroying the Holy City."