Rabbis: Stop Jerusalem gay parade

Haredim plan mass rally in protest of scheduled Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade; leaflet published by ultra-Orthodox community reads ‘we must do everything to banish this disgrace from Holy city’
Last weekend a leaflet published by the ultra-Orthodox community titled “Jerusalem is on fire” included statements by leading rabbis against the parade. The leaflet said plans are being made for a mass rally in protest of the “abomination parade in Jerusalem.”
The ultra-Orthodox community fears that holding the Gay Pride Parade in the capital would expose religious youth and children to homosexuality.
Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, head of the ultra-Orthodox community's religious court, said “this parade poses a real threat to the citizens of Israel," while leading haredi Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky suggested holding the parade in Sodom. His metaphoric suggestion was backed by Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
The leaflet quoted Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Lithuanian community, as saying “This (parade) will not take place. We must do everything to banish this disgrace from the Holy city.”
Members of the haredi community plan on holding a mass authorized demonstration on the day of the parade, which is scheduled for August, this after no protests were held prior to past parades held in the capital.
Hundreds of rabbis signed a letter drafted by Rehovot Rabbi Simcha Hacohen kook calling on ultra-Orthodox to block roads on the day of the event and stop the parade “with your bodies.” The cooperation between rabbis from such a wide range of Jewish sects is rare, as the community is plague by incessant internal disputes.