(haipo) In a few hours, the Pride Parade scheduled to take place on Moriah Boulevard in Haifa will begin today (Wednesday, August 27, 08) afternoon, with marchers escorted along the route by fences that were initially supposed to be covered with black tarpaulins. After residents and business owners expressed outrage at the police's security arrangements, they claimed that high fences and black tarpaulins placed along the main axis of the parade cut off marchers from the sidewalks and public spaces, harmed the festive atmosphere, and even aroused a sense of alienation and danger. The police, for their part, claim that these are necessary steps to maintain the safety of participants, especially in light of security alerts. After the municipality contacted the police, the black tarpaulins were removed.
Fences and black tarpaulins along the central axis ◄ View
High fences and black tarps along Moriah Boulevard
In recent days, Moriah Boulevard has been fenced off with fences over 1.5 meters high, covered with black canvas sheets. The decision, intended to separate the marchers from the sidewalks, has provoked angry reactions from residents. "It is impossible for the parade to take place on a road cut off from the sidewalks on both sides," said one of them. "Even if there is a fear of harm, it is impossible to imprison the marchers like this."
Damage to the atmosphere and accessibility of local businesses
One of the main claims of business owners along Moriah Boulevard is the expected economic damage. Usually, during the Pride parade, business owners set up stalls on the sidewalks and offer participants food, drinks and other products. This year, due to the physical separation, it will not be possible to access the stalls. "Anyone who marches will not even be able to buy a bottle of water," said a local business owner. "This separation hurts all of us, the marchers, the businesses and the general atmosphere." Business owners along Moriah Boulevard express concern about loss of income. "Every year we prepare for the parade, set up stalls, sell products," said a cafe owner. "This year, because of the fences, we will not be able to do that. It hurts us financially."
Residents: "The parade looks like a procession inside a corral"
A Haifa resident who plans to participate in the parade expressed deep frustration with the preparations. "I understand the sensitivity, and it is clear that the tragic case of the late Shira Banki hangs over all of us," she said. "But there is no reason to let extremists see us walking between black fences. It is shocking. It is not clear whether we are being protected or expelled from the public space."
Real concern for the safety of participants in the event of an emergency
Beyond the sense of alienation, residents raise real concerns about their safety in the event of an emergency. "The parade is blocked in such a way that I really don't know what might happen to us if we had to flee," said one participant. "There's no clear exit, no free access, it's just dangerous!"
The Haifa Arch: We will come as a large crowd to the Pride Parade and demand our place in the city
The Haifa Arch reported that yesterday the police were defeated in the High Court of Justice in an attempt to block the freedom of expression and protest of the marchers in the parade, and today they are trying to hide the marchers behind fences, claiming that they are trying to protect them from violence. "Those who want to protect protesters from violence do not threaten arrests. We are not going anywhere and we are not disappearing from sight. We will come as a large crowd to the Pride Parade, we will march without censorship, and we will demand the place we deserve in this city. The Haifa Arch invites everyone who values freedom of expression to march with us."
Difficult associations: "It looks like a closed camp"
Another resident compared the preparations to closed camps from dark periods in history. "The whole high fence thing is horrifying," she said. "It evokes associations of corrals, like the pictures of Holocaust survivors behind fences. There are supposedly warnings, but it doesn't make sense that if, God forbid, something happens, there's nowhere to run."
Impairment of the ability to enjoy the event
Beyond the security concerns, residents say the preparations are hurting the ability to enjoy the event. "There's an opportunity here for businesses to enjoy purchases, for the public to enjoy the atmosphere," one said. "But they fenced off the entire area, covered it with black tarps, and now you can't buy anything. It's just hurting small businesses and the general atmosphere."
Security Background: The Memory of Shira Banki and the Threats to Pride Parades
The increased preparations for the Pride Parade in Haifa are not disconnected from a broader context. Since the murder of the late Shira Banki at the Pride Parade in Jerusalem in 2015, the police have been taking stricter measures to protect participants. However, some claim that the balance between security and freedom of movement and public experience has been compromised.
The question of balance: security versus public freedom
The public debate surrounding preparations for the Haifa Pride Parade raises fundamental questions about the balance between security and public freedom. Can the safety of participants be ensured without harming the nature of the event? Are high fences and black tarpaulins the right way to deal with threats?
Impact on the parade's public image
Residents say the current preparations could damage the public image of the Pride Parade. "It's supposed to be an event of joy, of pride, of visibility," said one participant, "but when we walk between black fences, it looks like a parade of fear and not of pride."
A call to reconsider the deployment
In the wake of the growing criticism, some are calling on the police and the municipality to reconsider their approach. "We can protect the participants without imprisoning them," said a resident. "We can find creative solutions that will allow for both security and an open public experience."
A call for transparency and public participation in decisions
Residents are calling on authorities to act transparently and involve the public in decisions regarding preparations for the parade. "We want to understand why this decision was made, whether alternatives were considered, whether the consequences were considered," said a resident. "This is an event for all of us, not just the police."
Hope for change in the coming years
Despite the criticism, many of the participants say they will come to the parade out of a sense of mission. "We will not be afraid forever," said one. "But we hope that in the coming years there will be a different preparation, one that will protect us, but also honor us."
Deputy Mayor Yossi Shalom told the Times today:
Since the morning, he has been working with Mayor Yona Yahav to remove the black cloth from the fences in front of the police. Yahav contacted the police and said that the parade cannot be held like this. The police checked and said that the fences are for security purposes, but the black cloth can be removed. "I've been here since 7 a.m. It's important to me to do everything possible for the community. There's no way the parade will be like a pen or that someone will tell us what we're allowed to say and what we're not allowed to say."
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Like a parade of beef
Why do we even need a procession?
Let them do what they want.
In their own home…as far as I'm concerned
This really doesn't add any respect to them!!!
Man and woman created us!!!
So that people like you don't think that we can be hurt, blackmailed, robbed, beaten, and generally treated like garbage - without consideration, the meaning of pride is to show the world that we haven't internalized its hatred for us, and that we have the strength and will to resist it.
Shame Shame Shame
The kidnapped enjoy themselves in Gaza,
The soldiers at war
And these delusional people organize corruption celebrations in the streets?
Have you no shame???
*Torture.
The real corruption is the money that the religious institution takes from citizens.
As Tuvia Bachner said on the roof, "Being poor is not a shame, but it is not a great honor either." (Replace the word poor with homosexual.)
We didn't ask for great honor. Just that they stop murdering us.
All the claims of the residents here are justified. Both the images and the feelings. And what security do fences provide if a shooting attack were to occur and passersby behind the fences have no way to run to the road, perhaps get into a passing car and disperse wherever possible. And the marchers felt comfortable when they were being watched from behind the fences? Illusionary and incomprehensible.
You are absolutely right!!!
For Postma to say she feels she is being ostracized from the public space and four other unfortunates with signs saying "No Pride with Hunger." Stupid, whiny bitch
The burning hatred against minorities wherever they are permeates the police as a policy under the pretext of "public" security. The stupidity also shows itself in the vile comments here and on various websites.
"Time" to grab a "pen"... and write that... 😍
"Enough! Enough! We understand! We get it!"… There is "different"! Even if previously perceived as "strange"…
Now… we can march from “here” like a collective… on “Purim”… and in the “Ha-Ezma-Aut” celebrations…
A lot of "money" will be saved from the "public purse" for the benefit of the entire "community": normative and non-normative about 1 without "exceptional"... @😭
The Mintz Library has been burned down for 7 years. The building stands opposite the Ham Kindergarten and they say there is no budget to renovate it in several million.
Can't find a budget.
Half a million shekels to secure a parade with more marching police? Oh sure, take as many as you want.
Blocking the only thoroughfare in the ridge causes tremendous damage to Haifa's image. The same goes for blocking Horev on Saturday night or any blockage that harms the quality of life in the ridge.
It's simply to drive more and more of the strong population out of Haifa.
It's crazy that this municipality endlessly harms the quality of life by driving out residents and then asks why there is migration from Haifa and negative growth. Here's an example of why..
In this case, it's not the municipality but the police... and who directs it? We all know that already.
Pride ????
In what ???????
That I belong to the only country in the Middle East that respects my identity.
Such a sight on the streets of Israel is completely unnecessary because the entire spectacle and procession creates a negative atmosphere and more than anything, it legitimizes something that is completely illegitimate. I have no problem with lesbians and gays, but let them do it in their homes and in private, not in public.
"I have no problem with disabled people, but they should stay at home and not in public"
"I have no problem with Haredim, but they should dress modestly at home and not in public."
You have no right to call yourself a Jew.
I wonder who you will complain to when something happens?
It's interesting that the flags of the fictional city of Palestine will be raised. Who will you complain to?
It's interesting that the signs will be raised with the inscription: "No pride in genocide" or "No pride in occupation." Who will you complain to????
Of course.. to the police!!
Haifa
The most colorful city in the State of Israel!!
Ashamed to be from Haifa
Many reserve soldiers marched in this parade, whose march was not to fight against the country or the people, but rather because it depicted something worth fighting for - for them as well.
Especially today, if you come to the parade or to the park, will you wear protest shirts – a must after all the prohibitions and fences of the corral. And distribute them to the companies.
They brazenly and without reflection waste property tax money and request an increase in property tax beyond the normal increase that was approved.
Including a police helicopter for two hours over the Mother Garden at a cost of 100 shekels…
Payment of a quarter of a million shekels to the police for security.
But there is no money to renovate the Mintz Library, which has been burned down for 7 years.
They brazenly and without reflection waste property tax money.
Our contribution to the IDF more than makes up for the little we ask in return.
In short, it is idolatry.
Not suitable for the Jewish people
We Jews are different from the peoples of the world. It is better if they hold the event in a closed hall.
Men and women who are not gay are not enthusiastic about this event.
Idolatry is prostrating yourself on the graves of sages, doing gematria, and killing a person for land.
The parade should be moved to Gaza and held at Tel Hashomer. There are too many bored, unemployed people who don't care if they are a cat or a she. They have too much free time when our people have been fighting for almost two years. They should be replaced with the kidnapped people so that they can learn for whose benefit they are waving banners of support in Gaza, Hamas and the children of Gaza. Hahahahaha. Pride in what? How can they be parasites like the Haredim and suck money and benefits from the state? Let them be told what is done to gays and lesbians in Arab countries and in Gaza. They probably missed all the beauty of the soul and the blue hair with the Boboz and Shmulik. She is him, Pekel 56, and if it weren't for Gaza, everything would be clear.
Stupid, that's a compliment for you.
So unnecessary.
If they're going to "celebrate" their sexual orientation (and why is that good?) - let them do it without scaring the whole city - at the beach, for example.