Strollers in Jerusalem’s pastoral Valley of the Cross on the weekend of June 23-24 could still see and smell the charred remnants of brush fires allegedly started there by opponents of the gay pride parade held June 21 in the capital’s downtown.

Black scars now mar the early-summer shades of green, yellow and light brown of the trees, shrubs and weeds in the park, although no great damage was caused.

One man who was walking in the valley heard people, possibly the arsonists, chanting prayers in the background. Protest fires were also lighted in other locations, including in Beit Shemesh. — jps