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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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Gunman kills 2 at gay club in Tel Aviv
AP
By IAN DEITCH, Associated Press Writer Ian Deitch, Associated Press Writer – 33 mins ago
JERUSALEM – Israeli police say a gunman entered a youth club for gay teens in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night and sprayed the interior with automatic rifle fire, killing two and injuring 12 people.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said it was "most likely a criminal attack and not a terror attack." Tel Aviv has been a target for Palestinian militants in the past.
Police are searching the area for the gunman, who fled the scene, he said. Roadblocks were set up.
Rescue services said six of the wounded were badly hurt.
"This was a hate crime, a premeditated attack," witness Yaniv Weisman told Channel 10 TV. He said Cafe Noir, a basement club, was popular with youth.
"Those hurt were very young," he said.
Openly gay Knesset lawmaker Nitzan Horowitz said it was "without a doubt the biggest ever attack on the Israeli gay community, we are all in shock."
Witnesses told Israeli media that the gunman was dressed all in black, and described the scene as a "bloodbath."
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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It's impossible to express the horror I feel at things like this in any way that uses words. And tears do not do the event justice either.
For the small amount that it's worth I send my thoughts to the injured and the dead, and to those they loved and those who loved them.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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Like Timmy, I don't think there is any way to express my horror that this has happened. I am thinking deeply of all those affected by the tragedy.
David
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In great sorrow and great anger I will add some 'local colour' to the information you have already received here about the slaughter in Tel-Aviv.
Two people were killed in the hate attack. Nir Katz 26 was one of the group leaders and Liz Trubeshi 16 was one of the participants. Ten people were injured and are still hospitalized. Seven of the wounded were operated on overnight, and two others are expected to undergo surgery for the removal of shrapnel and bullets. Four of the injured are in serious condition, one is in moderate condition, three in light to moderate condition, and two in light condition.
The mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, has said that the city "has been since its inception a stronghold of pluralism, tolerance, and openness, and no one will damage the character of the city. We will continue to provide a warm home for the gay community in our city, and we will fight for the right of every person to live his life in our city according to his belief and conscience," he said. He has instructed municipal workers to provide all possible aid to the gay and lesbian community in the city.
Luckily in the last elections to the Knesset a gay member was elected. Nitzan Horowitz used to be a journalist working for Channel 10 News. It is quite possible that he was at the site, which would explain how Channel 10 was the very first to air the news. Horowitz has initiated a Knesset discussion following Saturday's shooting attack at the gay-lesbian youth center in Tel Aviv. According to him, "This is a terror attack against the entire Israeli society, and, as such, it is the Knesset's obligation to discuss this urgently and issue a clear, unequivocal condemnation."
After the loss of life and mayhem the greatest tragedy is that the attack was made on an IGGY youth group. IGGY (in Hebrew an acronym for Pride Association of Israel) is a country-wide movement founded by Yaniv Weizman (formerly a boy friend of Ivri Lider one of Israel's pop idols) and it serves gay youngsters who are not yet out to their families and friends. How terrible it must be for parents, family and friends to learn of the victims' sexuality because of their death or serious injury.
A manhunt is now in progress throughout Tel-Aviv for the perpetrator of this vile act of carnage. I hope he will be apprehended very soon.
The gay community in Tel-Aviv is so strong that around midnight last night, less than 90 minutes after the outrage, hundreds (some reports say thousands) of gay people marched through the city demanding an end to hate crimes. Most touching I think was the fact that at the site of the outrage they lit hundreds of memorial candles, forming in Hebrew the word LOVE.
I hope that I never have to give you such a report again.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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The government echelons are making the right noises:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the alleged Tel Aviv hate crime Saturday at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. "I spoke this morning with Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonivich and asked him to take action to bring the murderer to justice and to use the full force of the law against him. I call upon all citizens of Israel: we are a democratic country, a lawful country, and we will respect every person," said Netanyahu.
Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to Saturday's Tel Aviv shooting at the gay community center. "It must be said loud and clear that Israel will continue to be a free country in which each of its citizens can chose to path of his own life as he sees fit," he said.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak sent his condolences to the families of those murdered in the attack and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. "The legal authorities must take action to crush all criminal activity of this kind."
Minister Silvan Shalom said that the perpetrator must be brought to justice.
President Shimon Peres said that "the shocking murder carried out in Tel Aviv yesterday against youths and young people is a murder which a civilized and enlightened nation cannot accept. Murder and hatred are the two most serious crimes in society. The police must exert great efforts in order to catch the despicable murderer, and the entire nation must unite in condemning this abominable act."
Perhaps, most surprising and very welcome (because many suspect that the perpetrator of the shooting was religiously motivated) is the swift and unequivocal condemnation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel: "This is a despicable and unthinkable crime. When Moses saw a Jew raise his hand against another Jew he called him evil," said the rabbinate's communiqué.
J F R
[Updated on: Sun, 02 August 2009 09:44]
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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ray2x
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: April 2009
Messages: 430
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A most horrible event. It seems as guns and munitions are the most sought after social commentators of our era. Guns seem too to have taken a mind of their own which is lacking in its human user or hijacked from the human.
Raymundo
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I'm afraid the gun, and the bow and arrow, and the spear all unlink the fact that the target is a living, breathing human being form reality. Using a semi-automatic weapon is like using a garden hose. You wave it around and create mayhem, horror and pain.
But the removal of guns is not the real solution. Somehow we have to learn not to hate. Somehow...
Yet, if I had loved one of the victims I would be clamouring for an eye for an eye. I wonder if I would hesitate if told I had to deliver the blow myself. I think I might not.
And that is one of the issues that such horrible, awful attacks create.
So I stick, since I am not involved, at sending whatever good emotio9ns I am able to those who were hurt or died, and those they love and loved and those who loved and love them. And I hope that revenge, except judicial revenge, is not sought.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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This is an op-ed piece by Gid'on Sa'ar, Israel's Minister of Education. I think it is worth reading.
J F R
__________
Until this murder case is solved and the killer’s identity is discovered, we’ll continue to ask: What prompts a human being to massacre teenagers, children really? What was the motive for this demonic act? At the site of the attack in the heart of Tel Aviv, a two-minute walk from my house, I mostly saw consternation and shock in the eyes of the crowd and passersby. Eyes were fulls of tears and hearts cried. As a Tel Avivian, and as a person who had only experienced magical moments on Nachmani Street, where the crime took place, I felt a sour sense of shame rising within me. What’s happening to Israeli society that leads us from one horrific display to another? What can prompt a person to indiscriminately kill boys and girls who arrived at a site meant to grant them support and security?
We need to be cautious before police conclude the investigation. However, one way or another, waiting for the case to be solved cannot be a pretext for evading a moral obligation. For Israeli society, this is an opportunity to clearly and unequivocally define its commitment to freedom and tolerance. For public officials and leaders, this is the time to pledge that we will protect Israel’s character and future as a free society. Because wherever a person is attacked or humiliated because of his lifestyle, choices, tendencies, or indecision, it is not only the freedom and dignity of that person that are being undermined.
Freedom is the taste of life. The freedom of each and every one of us to choose how to live our lives, based on our choices. The willingness to defend a different way of life is the true test of a free society. The hatred, intolerance, zealotry, and violence –all related to each other – are the great enemies of freedom. We need to show intolerance to them. There can be no compromise between them and freedom. We must choose between them. It isn’t simple. The enemies of freedom are known for their zealotry, while its lovers are known for their moderation. However, the protection of freedom requires determination. The struggle by members of the GLBT community to live their lives based on their choices is not only their struggle. Just like the struggle for equality between the sexes is not only a matter for women. We should keep that in mind.
Israeli society made significant progress in recent decades in accepting the other. Yet this does not mean the task had been completed. Under the surface simmer de-legitimization for various communities and their rights. Many amongst us suffer from unbearable mental distress not because they sinned; only because of what they are. Let’s look at them, reach out to them, and tell them that we accept them the way they are. We are them, and they are us.
Israel will achieve great things only if it will be free. Israel is not Iran and it will not turn into Iran. This is what we’ll promise our children. This is what we’ll promise the children who survived the massacre Saturday night. This is what we shall promise to those murdered on Nachmani Street. And we’ll deliver on this promise.
[Updated on: Tue, 04 August 2009 05:16]
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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Perhaps people will see. Maybe they'll understand. Perhaps they might even accept. If there is any good to be harvested from this horrible incident, it will be in the softening of hearts which have been hardened by hate. When people hear of this tragedy, I would hope that they reject hate, not just hate directed towards gays, but all murderous hate.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday visited the Tel Aviv gay youth center which was the site of the deadly shooting attack last Saturday, in which 26-year-old Nir Katz and 17-year-old Liz Trubeshi were killed. Ten others were injured. Netanyahu heard from representatives of the community accusations of incitement from ministers and MKs from within his government and he expressed his support of the community.
Head of Israel's youth Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association, Yaniv Weizman said at the end of the meeting, "Things have changed. The prime minister has expressed his support. The prime minister's message is very clear, a message of support of the community. We expect a ministerial committee, full equal rights for the community, and that our relationships are not outlawed. Another thing is education, education, education, curbing homophobia, and the third thing is the whole matter of incitement. It can't be that within the Netanyahu government, there are ministers and Knesset members that speak out against the community. We have asked the prime minister to label this incident as a terror attack. It was a very positive meeting, the prime minister expressed his full support."
During the visit, representatives of the gay and lesbian community presented a letter to the PM saying, "We, the members of the gay and lesbian community experience verbal and physical violence every single day within the family, in schools and in workplaces. Severe incitement is voiced from many sources, including Knesset members and ministers in your government. (The shooting attack) is the most serious incident the gay community has experienced since the establishment of the State. The day after this horrendous murder is not the same as the days before. Woe to us if the blood of those killed an injured was spilled in vain."
Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen and Tel Aviv district commander, Major-General Shahar Ayalon accompanied the PM on his visit. The police commissioner said to the press after the meeting, "We must be patient and should not be hasty. This is one of the most serious incidents of the past 30 years, since I have been on the force. The prime minister's visit here will illustrate the importance of the matter. Again, we must take care not to label groups, I ask all of you to be patient. This incident has been made a national priority."
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, "This city has done so much to ensure that every person feels safe in it… I hope the police get to the bottom of this and find the killer."
The visit was held under tight security, and police have closed off a number of roads in the area and have banned journalists from attending.
The deadly attack continues to make waves around the world, and on Wednesday a vigil was held for the victims in Boston by local Jewish organizations. Also Wednesday, some 1,500 people demonstrated in Berlin, Germany, in support of the Israeli GLBT community.
Meanwhile, police continue in their efforts to locate the murderer, and have written in online gay community forums asking the public for any piece of relevant information to help in their investigation.
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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During a visit to the gay and lesbian youth center in Tel Aviv, the site of a recent shooting spree that left two people dead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We were all created in God's image and we all have basic rights. I want to assure you that my cabinet will promote issues that are important to the gay community."
Well, he is talking the talk. Don't hold your breath about him walking the walk.
Parents of gay and lesbian children have initiated a petition calling on the Education Ministry to initiate school programs that will familiarize students with the gay community.
I have heard this idea from more than one source, including from the mayor of my home town. Again, don't hold your breath.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I have been sent this in Facebook. The Facebook page for those of you on it is http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=113398468429&ref=nf
The event is a vigil in the UK. I commend this to you if you are local. If you have friends in the UK, please commend it to them, too. I wish I could attend myself.
BEGINS
Aiming for a candle lighting at 21:00 on the "doughnut" to the west side of Palace Pier. Sunset is at 20:38. Meet at the entrance to the Pier, we will have rainbow flags so you know who we are.
"All of us together, without hatred, withour fear."
The attack at a Counselling Centre for young LGBT people in Tel Aviv has shocked LGBT people and shocked people in Israel. Nir Katz a counsellor only 26 himself and Liz Troubeshi aged only 17 with several more wounded two of whom were for a time in a critical condition...is shattering to us.
Some of those injured in bed have not received visits from their parents however Tzipi Livni the leader of the Kadima (Forward) Party gave a moving and impressive speech to LGBT people...
Sympathy vigils and actions are taking place across Europe to coincide with the rally in Tel Aviv from 20:00 (Israel/Palestine) time... Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna as well as plenty of other places around the world.
This is an opportunity to grieve these two young LGBT people and the loss of who they were but also of who they might have become... but also to remember and send our love to the injured and the bereaved... and re-commit ourselves to the task of tackling homophobia and prejudice in all its forms.
Please also remember that it is Israeli LGBT who help Palestinian LGBT and in this case Palestinian LGBT have led the way in creating memorials...the LGBT communities are a ray of light in the wretched story of Israel/Palestine of how people can transcend the national and ethnic divisions and as such this LGBT experience *could* have a particular contribution to the wider story.
*** Salaam Aleikhum *** Shalom Aleichem ***
ENDS
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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I am sorry that this comment is very belated: I have not been able to visit here for a couple of days.
Some of those injured in bed have not received visits from their parents
Happily, I can tell you that this is not the case. I recall that several days ago, in an interview, Yaniv Weisman, the chair of the Israel Youth Association, said that parents and families had visited all the injured. Some of the parents were receiving counselling. I'm sorry that I can't give a link to that interview: I tried to locate it but failed. It was maybe five or six days ago.
Tzipi Livni the leader of the Kadima (Forward) Party gave a moving and impressive speech to LGBT people...
Ms Livni is the leader of the opposition in the Knesset. Basically, what she said in her speech was that all parents of gay people should hug their children and shower them with love, affection and understanding.
Maybe this would be as good a place as any to explain why 'pride' and 'proud' keep cropping up in Israeli GLBT parlance. The Hebrew word for 'proud' sounds very much like the English word 'gay'. You can work out the rest yourselves 
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I'm glad the report that I republished was not accurate over the parental visits.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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I have just received an email from a colleague. I reproduce here one paragraph from a long email:
Most of the injured have been released from hospitals, but at least one remains at Tel Hashomer Hospital, a 19 year old who may never walk again. He's in the trauma unit, trying to keep his hands busy while awake and waiting each day for some good news from his doctors. I try to stop by at least every other day. Should you wish to put in a prayer for him, his name is Raziel son of Rachel.
(It is customary for Jews asking for a patient's recovery to use the matronymic rather than the patronymic.)
J F R
[Updated on: Tue, 11 August 2009 14:41]
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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