But, apart from the odd egg being thrown, the violent clashes of previous years were missing when the eighth annual event went ahead.

Charedim largely limited their protests to street prayers in strictly Orthodox areas like Mea Shearim.

Leaders of the Edah Haredit, which in past years has vociferously opposed the gay march, this time urged their followers not to demonstrate. They said they did not want to expose their young people to homosexuality.

Copies of the Torah were held up by a small group of protesters outside a city centre park. One student said: "The Bible says homosexuality is an abomination. Only an abominable person would be proud about their homosexuality."

A banner that was held aloft said: "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."

But for the most part, the toned-down parade passed peacefully, with about 2,000 people taking part.

Fifteen hundred police officers - far fewer than in previous years - were stationed along the route, which avoided strictly Orthodox areas.

Amit Lev, a spokesman for the gay rights group behind the parade, said organisers had negotiated with ultra-Orthodox leaders after "long years of silence" between the two communities.

"We've agreed that violence doesn't serve any of us or any of our goals," he added.