(NEWS) Gay Pride Parade Used Ruse To Include Anti-Israel Group, Critics Charge

"Canadian Jewish organizations are saying they will not back down after an unexpected policy reversal that will allow an anti-Israel group to participate in this year's Toronto gay pride parade.

Organizers of the annual parade, one of the largest events on Canada's cultural calendar, backtracked this month from an earlier decision that had banned a group called Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from marching in the parade under that name. Critics said the reversal was part of a ruse designed to secure some $120,000 in city funding.

Parade officials, responding to pressure from Jewish groups and several municipal politicians, including candidates for mayor, said in May that they were 'disallowing' the controversial group from using the phrase 'Israeli apartheid' in the July 4 parade. Officials said the anti-Israel group could march under another banner, such as 'Queers in Favor of a Free Palestine.'"