Jerusalem gay parade under religious fire

JERUSALEM, July 4 (UPI) -- A gay pride parade planned in Jerusalem next month has drawn fire from ultra-Orthodox rabbis, Muslims and the Vatican, local media reported Tuesday.

Hundreds of rabbis signed a letter drafted by Rabbi Simcha Hacohen calling on ultra-Orthodox to block roads on the day of the event and stop the parade "with your bodies," Ynetnews reported.

Muslim opposition to the August event also was voiced by United Arab List member of Knesset, Ibrahim Sarsur, who said: "if gays will dare approach Temple Mount during parade ... they will do so over our dead bodies," the report said.

The Vatican's representative to Israel, Monsignor Antonio Franco also met with Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, to say the church is adamantly opposed to the march being held in the Holy City, which has religious significance to three religions.

Franco called it "the few imposing their will on the majority," Arutz Sheva reported.

The Jerusalem police will decide later this week whether to allow the parade, Israel Today reported.