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Two killed in gay hate crime in Tel Aviv
By: Nigel Robinson
Two people were killed and 15 injured
Two people were killed and 15 injured
Two people have been killed in a gun attack on a gay youth centre in Tel Aviv.
The attack on the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association took place on Saturday evening, 1 August. A masked man opened fire at the centre before fleeing.
In addition to the two killed – a 26 year old man and 17 year old girl – fifteen others were injured.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, condemned the attack, saying: ‘I want to say to the citizens of Israel: we are a democratic and tolerant country and we must respect every person for who he is.’
At a demonstration in the streets of Tel Aviv following the attack, protesters accused the right-wing and ultra-Orthodox Shas political party of being guilty of incitement.
Shas has a history of being critical of gay people and their lifestyles,
Gay rights activist Mike Hamel slammed the religious-based hatred of gays in Israel
"Beyond the pain, the frustration and the anger, we are facing a situation in which the incitement to hate creates an environment that allows this to happen," he said.
However, the Shas party issued a statement saying that: ‘We are shocked and bereaved, and denounce without reservation the murderous incident that targeted Tel Aviv's gay community,’
