Police arrest man carrying a knife, two years after 16-year-old Shira Banki was stabbed to death at the Jerusalem pride march.
Over 20,000 people took part in the annual Jerusalem pride march on Thursday afternoon, two years after 16-year-old Shira Banki was murdered at the march by a religious extremist.
Hundreds of police officers were on hand, forcing every participant to undergo inspection before entering Liberty Bell Park, where the march to was set to begin. Police arrested 22 people at the march, one of whom was carrying a knife. According to Haaretz, police summoned right-wing activists classified as “under watch” for clarification and warning talks prior to the march.
A 33-year-old man was banned from Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon after police said he had published a Facebook post he had made that potentially threatened the march’s security.
Meanwhile, radical right-wingers, led by Kahanist activist Benzi Gopstein held a protest against the parade across from the park.