Poll: Israelis Want ‘Pride’ Parades Out of City Centers

An estimated 20,000 people packed downtown Jerusalem during last week’s “Gay Pride” parade, while some 2,000 police ensured their safety.

A survey conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University on behalf of Walla! News found that most Israelis want “pride” parades to be banned in city centers.

A 50 percent majority of respondents opposed allowing these parades on main thoroughfares, while 44 percent supported it. A similar position was taken by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who decided against participating in the parade since it is deemed so offensive by a majority of his city’s residents.

However, only 27 percent of poll respondents called to ban “Gay Pride” parades altogether, and a firm 71 percent majority rejected recent anti-homosexual remarks by prominent rabbis.