The soldier accused of making violent threats against a gay rally held in Tel Aviv Saturday and who was arrested in Jerusalem Saturday will remain in custody, officials said Sunday.

Shmuel Preimark, 20, admits he threatened to attack a rally held in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to express solidarity with the gay and lesbian community after last Saturday's attack on a gay club that left 2 dead and 11 wounded, 4 seriously.

Preimark is a member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish Army unit, YnetNews.com reported Sunday, and is accused of posting messages on gay websites threatening to hurt those attending the pro-gay rally.

He allegedly wrote: “Expect more victims among the gays, this time something bigger” and “a second attack on the community soon. Be ready. Don't say we didn't know.”

Police say they took the soldier into custody after he confessed to making the threats. They also confiscated two computers from his Jerusalem home.

The arrest is certain to widen the rift between the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which condemns being gay, and Israel's GLBT community.

Other threats on the rally were also reported. Several organizers helping to bus people to the event say they received calls threatening: “today you will get hit with grenades, not just guns.”

Saturday's rally drew thousands – organizers say 70,000, but other estimates pinned the crowd at 20,000. Israeli President Shimon Peres expressed strong solidarity with the gay and lesbian community, saying: “Everyone has the right to be different and proud. No one has the right to interfere in other people's lives so long as everyone respects law and order. … I came to share your tears after the death of two young innocents. Be strong and courageous.” The event also featured performances from many prominent Israeli artists.

But even as high-ranking politicians and beloved artists condemned the deadly attack, a new poll released Thursday showed nearly half of Israelis strongly disapprove of being gay. Haaretz newspaper reported that 46% of 498 people polled responded affirmatively to the question “do you see homosexuality as a perversion?”

The soldier in custody, Preimark, remains behind bars; a court extended his remand by three days on Sunday.