Quiet Gay Pride
March in Jerusalem

About 3,000 participants marched through Jerusalem in its annual gay pride parade. The march was followed by a rally, both passing without incident.

Police said they had about 2,000 officers on duty to protect the marchers from protesters.

Past marches have been marred by violent demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox Jews, but there were only small-scale protests on Thursday, held away from the march route. Police said one protester was arrested.

In contrast with the often flamboyant atmosphere of gay pride parades in other cities, most of the marchers in Jerusalem wore everyday clothes and walked calmly down the city streets, a few holding banners or multicolored balloons.

One sign read "Gay rights are human rights." (AP)