Ehud Olmert’s daughter came out in defense of the upcoming Jerusalem gay pride parade.
Dana Olmert, who is lesbian, gave a rare media interview to rebut right-wing and religious demands that Thursday’s gay pride parade in Israel’s capital be relocated.
“The question ‘why Jerusalem?’ is like asking why people should get the right to vote,” Olmert told Army Radio on Wednesday. “Such questions are simply abhorrent. It’s just like I would never think of explaining to someone why Jews or Arabs aren’t inferior to other people.”
Olmert, who works as a Tel Aviv literary editor and usually avoids the public eye, described the march as “an expression of political action, something which you don’t ask permission to do”.
Rioting by religious protestors led to last year’s gay pride parade being relocated to a closed stadium on the Jerusalem outskirts, but Thursday’s event will comprise a march and rally in the city center, under tight police security.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
