Gay pride march (illustration)
Gay pride march (illustration)Reuters

The Jerusalem municipality has removed the LGBT rainbow flags that were hung across from the Great Synagogue and the adjacent Hechal Shlomo.

The flags had been placed in preparation for Thursday's Pride Parade, but Mayor Nir Barkat chose to lower them following a request from Chief Jerusalem Rabbi Aryeh Stern

"I have a modest request," Rabbi Stern wrote. "Without getting into the controversy surrounding the 'Parade,' it would be appropriate to remove the flags from the street next to the Jeshurun Synagogue and Hechal Shlomo."

He added, "I am certain that this gesture would lower the tension and show consideration for the holiness of Jerusalem."

Herzl Yehezkel, the head of Jewish Home's Jerusalem branch, stated in response: "We are fortunate that Jerusalem is not divided into tribes. I thank the Jerusalem Rabbi Aryeh Stern and Mayor Nir Barkat for taking action on the issue."