The Jerusalem Pride Marching has always aroused a considerable number of differences in Israel, especially during the last few years. In 2005 a man stormed the marchers, stabbing three of them. A year later the "march" took place in a closed stadium, because the police feared another attack on the marchers. This decision aroused a lot of complaints from LGBTs, demanding that the march will be seen and heard outside in the open.
The most shocking event for the LGBT community took place on Saturday August 1st, 2009 in Tel-Aviv. An armed man clad in a black mask burst into a LGBT youth support club meeting. The intruder open fired, killing the group's counselor Nir Katz and a participant Liz Terobishi, who was only 16 at the time. Eleven others were injured, leaving two additional teenagers permanently disabled. The perpetrator was never found.
This is why it was decided the march will take place on the end of July (instead of the end of June), to commemorate the murder. This year the march ended in front of the Israeli Parliament – The Knesset – where the participants demanded equal rights for LGBTs. The rally that followed the march carried a sharp message to Knesset members – stop making promises, and working for the LGBT community. It's impossible that the murderer wasn't caught yet. It's impossible that there is still discrimination in the education system. It's impossible that Homophobic behavior happen daily, and is tolerated.
About 115 NOV members took part in the marching and rally, and many more took part in the memorial service that took place two days later in Tel-Aviv, and in local marches in Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Rishon Le Zion and Be'er Sheva.
Personally, I see great importance in our struggle for the value of Human Equality in every front. Today both in Israel and around the world you can't define yourself as an activist for change if you don't hold an anti-homophobic agenda. For NOV as a movement that aims for Justice and Equality, it meant a great deal to take part in the Jerusalem Marching, and other pride events. Of course, LGBT NOV members are not the only ones taking part in these events, but also a lot of Straight members, show up with their blue shirt and red lacing, knowing that there are a lot of fronts we have to stand up to. We must be the spearhead of the struggle for Pride, Tolarence and Equality.
Maor Heumann