Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Shmuel Zaafrani, Rabbi Isser Klonski and others met with leaders of the “Open House” gay rights group at the home of Jerusalem city council member Nir Barkat (pictured) to try and hammer out a solution to the bitter conflict.
Both sides agreed to condemn the violence, but little else was accomplished at the meeting. “If we want to live in peace here, we must create dialogue that will eventually lead to co-existence,” said Barkat, speaking to reporters about the meeting.
“Tonight we succeeded in arriving at open and candid dialogue which we believe will dampen the flames,” said Rabbi Klonski, who also said more meetings were necessary in order to resolve the issue of where and if the parade will be held.
Thousands of hareidi religious Jews blocked the streets of Jerusalem Thursday evening for the third night in a row. Seven police officers were injured, including one who sustained moderate wounds after he was struck in the head by a rock hurled by one of the demonstrators.
Garbage cans were set ablaze and police forcibly dispersed the crowd using mounted officers and water cannons. Some 35 demonstrators were arrested in the melee.
The parade, which is set to make its way through the streets of the Jewish section of the holy city, has ironically brought together otherwise diverse religious groups -- Jews, Christians and Muslims -- in a desperate battle to stop the event. If the police decide that the parade will threaten public safety, they can cancel the event.
Both sides agreed to condemn the violence, but little else was accomplished at the meeting. “If we want to live in peace here, we must create dialogue that will eventually lead to co-existence,” said Barkat, speaking to reporters about the meeting.
“Tonight we succeeded in arriving at open and candid dialogue which we believe will dampen the flames,” said Rabbi Klonski, who also said more meetings were necessary in order to resolve the issue of where and if the parade will be held.
Thousands of hareidi religious Jews blocked the streets of Jerusalem Thursday evening for the third night in a row. Seven police officers were injured, including one who sustained moderate wounds after he was struck in the head by a rock hurled by one of the demonstrators.
Garbage cans were set ablaze and police forcibly dispersed the crowd using mounted officers and water cannons. Some 35 demonstrators were arrested in the melee.
The parade, which is set to make its way through the streets of the Jewish section of the holy city, has ironically brought together otherwise diverse religious groups -- Jews, Christians and Muslims -- in a desperate battle to stop the event. If the police decide that the parade will threaten public safety, they can cancel the event.