Gay Couple Won Lawsuit Against Jerusalem Pizzeria

A gay couple who reported that a Jerusalem Pizzeria refused to serve them food last summer has won their lawsuit against the Ben Yehuda Pizza restaurant. Ben Yehuda Pizza has been mandated to pay a sum of 16,000NIS ($4,400) in damages to Sammy Kanter, a homosexual who told the restaurant owner that he is a rabbinal student.

In a dialogue with the restaurant owner, Israel Today discovered that the gay couple were not from Israel. They had visited Israel to participate in last Summer's Gay Pride weekend events in Jerusalem. "They came to my Pizzeria on Friday afternoon, when we were about to close for Sabbath", the owner said. "They were all pumped up and still dressed up from their parade", he added.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Kanter said, "after we entered the shop, the employee greeted us and handed out menus. Immediately, his demeanor shifted after taking a look at my (gay pride) shirt. He ask if I was gay. After responding 'yes', he simply said, 'Get out'".

The owner of the restaurant actually insisted that he serves everybody present in the Pizzeria with joy and that he would never discriminate anyone. "This is my business and my livelihood. I love serving the people of this city", he said. He is an orthodox Jew and was surprised at how a homosexual man can be studying to become a rabbi. "They came to Israel to stir up trouble. They had an agenda and its too bad the court go along with it", he lamented.