Gunman Attacks Gay Center in Israel, Murdering Three
A gunman dressed in black “burst into the basement of the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association” Saturday night, opening “fire on a support group for gay teenagers.” He fled the scene.
Not only have police “have launched a massive manhunt for the perpetrator“, but
Large numbers of emergency vehicles [have also] converged on the scene, and patrol cars could be seen scouring the area for the gunman. A police crime scene investigation unit gathered evidence from the scene and a gag order was later placed on the details of the investigation.
It is truly a sad day and reminder that no matter how open a society may be, how tolerant it is, hatred still surfaces. Israel has been the most tolerant nation in the Middle East for gay people, with gay Palestinians fleeing to the Jewish state for refuge, a place where they can live openly. Note also how speedily Israeli authorities have reacted to the crime, rushing to save the lives of the victims and to search for the perpetrator.
Even in such an open society, prejudice persists, particularly among the extreme Orthodox. At least one of the religious parties has condemned the attack. In a statement, the Shas faction condemned any use of violence:
The attacker must be located quickly and judged severely. Murder naturally contradicts the way of Torah and any harm is against the religion of Israel.
At least some religious extremists seek to punish the murderers of gay people. And condemn this vile deed.
Words cannot convey my own sadness right now when I think that people just like, just like I was, not all that many years ago were murdered in a place they sought refuge as they were only beginning to come to terms with their difference from the social norm. Where they had hoped to find a safe environment where they could be open about themselves, they were instead subject to the worst form of barbarism, cold-blooded murder.
We grieve for these young people who lost their lives and pray with their familes.
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No doubt Mr. Blatt will make us aware, of the need to show our straight “peers” (as put in gay marriage posts) of the need to show them that we gays are worthy of not being murdered. Alas a socialist-gay like myself, has also lost sight of the freedom not to be killed, and the fact that i’m outraged by this crime, well it just shows my extremism. Just as long as no-one is Israel attempts to fight homophobia after this and save lives, i’ll be happy. By the way, well done on not doing the slightest bit of coverage of the August Provost murder. Blatt couldn’t shine Senator Boxer’s shoes.
Comment by Dermot — August 2, 2009 @ 7:45 am - August 2, 2009
Gun ownership among gays in Israel must be lower than the average, or this was one of those non-violent groups that seem glad to demean the IDF and Police yet demand protection from the thugs in the area(yes, they got fools like that there as well as here).
The big reason Palestinians started the Suicide Bombing was gunman attacking crowds in Israel succumb to “Off Duty Security/Police/Army/Reserve Military”(Pick your euphemism the US Press went with for the Little Old Lady packing a pistol).
Gunman there tend only to target the unarmed now, and about the only way the gunman can be sure is for it to be one of these groups. One of those stats the AntiGun left in the US really doesn’t like to talk about.
some New Yorkers who live in Tel Aviv said in the US the security at the mall checks you purse After you leave, In Israel, they look Before you go in, and make sure you have you pistol. In Israel, they both carry, in New York, they were not allowed.
I might be off base, but from what little I find on the story I can read points to this possibly being a group like that (Not necessarily those shot, but the group running the support group).
Comment by JP — August 2, 2009 @ 8:59 am - August 2, 2009
Dermot, I have no clue what you’re trying to say in your comment. You seem to be suggesting I’m not outraged by these murders.
Your words seethe with hatred, but don’t address anything I’ve said above (while showing a passing familiarity with my posts, but no understanding of my ideas). Seems we both agree on how horrible this attack was. Don’t know why you’ve decided to use the comments section to this post to deride me with more venom than you use to condemn the killer.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — August 2, 2009 @ 9:10 am - August 2, 2009
GPW nice post. What a tragedy. Heart goes out to the families.
JP –
“In Israel, they look Before you go in, and make sure you have you pistol”
I don’t think that is correct, at least it was not when I lived there.
Actually many libs in America would be satisfied with Israeli style gun control laws.
They restrict the amount, types, ages and have other restrictions on who owns/carries guns.
A lot of it is common sense boundaries that the US should implement
Comment by gillie — August 2, 2009 @ 9:56 am - August 2, 2009
#1
I’m confrused. Where the hell is the homophobia when a gay man kills another?
Eh, who cares about them Joos anyway. Maybe if Chairman Obama sends more money to Hamas, we won’t have that problem?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — August 2, 2009 @ 10:08 am - August 2, 2009
PM Bibi Netanyahu vows to prosecute killers to the highest extent of the law:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277947062&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Oh, and to the socialist dolt in #1, Netanyahu is a conservative. So much for the “conservatives-are-homophobics” meme.
YOU aren’t fit to shine Dan Blatt’s shoes yourself. What exactly have YOU done to make you so egotistical in the first place?
SNAP – you are dismissed.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 2, 2009 @ 11:42 am - August 2, 2009
#4 – “They restrict the amount, types, ages and have other restrictions on who owns/carries guns. A lot of it is common sense boundaries that the US should implement.”
True, except the fact that Israelis are mostly law-abiding citizens who speak the same language and have respect for each other. Given the traffic that sneaks across our borders here in the USA and the thugs who grow up without respect for anyone else (let alone themselves), it wouldn’t work here in this country.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 2, 2009 @ 11:44 am - August 2, 2009
I’ve read 3 articles now, 2 in the Jerusalem Post, and they haven’t said what kind of person did the attack. I’m starting to wonder if it might be connected with The Religion That Shall Not Be Named When Guilty Of Anti-Gay, Anti-Semitic, Anti-American and Other Terrorist Attacks.
Just wondering.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — August 2, 2009 @ 11:53 am - August 2, 2009
Ah. In another article,
Which is not to say they’re responsible; just to say the anti-gay violence might not be the Muslims, for a change.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — August 2, 2009 @ 11:57 am - August 2, 2009
#8 – ILC, I agree with you. I’m willing to bet money that it was perpetrated by an adherent of the so-called “religion of peace.”
In other words, the usual Islamist suspect who is probably named Mohammad.
Dirty bastard.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 2, 2009 @ 11:58 am - August 2, 2009
Homophobia and incitement doesn’t kill people, people kill people.
There is not a useful comparison between gun ownership in Israel and the United States.
Everywhere you walk around Israel, there are groups of young people relaxed, armed and ready for action with their loaded assault rifles. There are huge numbers of folks in reserves with these weapons in their homes.
Many establishments have security guards with hand held metal detectors to scan for explosive devices. This just shows any murderer can still always find a way to kill God’s children.
Comment by Geena — August 2, 2009 @ 12:37 pm - August 2, 2009
“The Religion That Shall Not Be Named When Guilty Of Anti-Gay, Anti-Semitic, Anti-American and Other Terrorist Attacks”
Are you talking about Christians?
Or Jews? – maybe not because you say Anti Semitic..
Or are you simply playing cute with your own bigotry? At least comment #10 is full frontal about his ignorance by showing his prejudices.
Comment by gillie — August 2, 2009 @ 12:43 pm - August 2, 2009
Quotes from Shas members (a leading ruling party in Israel):
“[the local gay movement] is a plague that could destroy Jewish Israel,” adding that it should be treated “just as the Health Ministry dealt with the bird flu epidemic.”
another one:
Eathquakes are caused by “homosexual activity practiced in the country”
Question for peter hughes:
Does the above make moses a “dirty bastard?”
Comment by gillie — August 2, 2009 @ 12:53 pm - August 2, 2009
Actually many libs in America would be satisfied with Israeli style gun control laws.
Please, ghillie. The libs in America and elsewhere would be satisfied with a disarmed Israeli populace with a Qassam rocket in every ass.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — August 2, 2009 @ 1:12 pm - August 2, 2009
The death of pre-gay children and the death of these gay youths are equally tragic. It doesn’t matter what stage of development you are in when you are murdered for being gay–it’s still a hate crime.
Comment by Ashpenaz — August 2, 2009 @ 1:26 pm - August 2, 2009
I have a big problem with the immidate accusation against Shas. Yes they are an Orthodox political party, Some members have made the statements gillie mentioned. But that is still a far cry from cold blooded murder.
It may yet turn out to be a muslim. There is no proof anywhere that was an Orthodox Jew who did this.
Words are very harmful, but this idea that these statements put the blame on the Orthodox shoulders is an unfair conclusion. How about waiting for the facts??
As to the gays not being armed in Israel. Not every Israeli walks around being armed.
Also, security has become much laxer in recent years, since the wall was built and Tel Aviv has always been it’s own bubble, Must less secrutiy checks than Jerusalem.
Checking the Israeli press, one of the victims, 26 year old Nir Katz was buried today. This is a real tradgey, but responding with more hate is not the answer.
Comment by Leah — August 2, 2009 @ 1:35 pm - August 2, 2009
Congratulations GPWest, youre better than a gunman. I suggest that the only advocacy of gay rights you accept is your own. Instead of promoting practical measures to prevent this happening again, you just feel sad. The question is why do YOU deride such pleasure from attacking gay issue progresssives? Seething hatred?, while you get emotional (and Peter Hughes becomes a smug girl Snap?), i’ll focus on policies. Ps, i bet the “outrage” doc makers don’t much look like terrorists (as said on this blog) anymore.
Comment by Dermot — August 2, 2009 @ 2:53 pm - August 2, 2009
#1: What does Provost’s murder have to do with anything here? It’s an unfortunate fact that gay people can be victims of violent crime for reasons that have nothing to do with their orientation. The military arrested a suspect who sounds like a troublemaker. The suspect committed suicide so, assuming he committed the murder, justice was served.
#3: Dan – you were able to glean all that from Dermot’s comment? I’m impressed. All I got was mostly incoherent blather.
#12: huh? So far, we don’t know what religious affiliation, if any, is held by the murderers. Given the news from the Middle East over the last, oh, 40-50 years, I think it’s safe to say that we can’t rule out members of the religion that must not be named.
Comment by SoCalRobert — August 2, 2009 @ 2:56 pm - August 2, 2009
Dermot wrote: Instead of promoting practical measures to prevent this happening again, you just feel sad.
OK. I’ll bite. What practical measures do you have in mind to eliminate evil from the hearts of men?
Comment by SoCalRobert — August 2, 2009 @ 3:00 pm - August 2, 2009
All I got was mostly incoherent blather.
All I got was the rantings of a miserable, hate-filled POS trying desperately to sound mucher smarter (deride???).
Comment by ThatGayConservative — August 2, 2009 @ 4:32 pm - August 2, 2009
The question is why do YOU deride such pleasure from attacking gay issue progresssives?
It’s not pleasure, it’s duty. The goal of the Progressive movement is to make people serfs and slaves to the state. Fascism under a rainbow flag is still fascism (and, if you look into history, you see progressivism and fascism are one and the same.)
GP and GPW believe gay rights are compatible with free markets and individual liberty. Dermot and gillie do not, and are happy to exchange real freedom for a few scraps from the master’s table.
Comment by V the K — August 2, 2009 @ 5:05 pm - August 2, 2009
Harretz has an article titled, “A straight’s prayer for young Israelis shot for being gay”
Unique approach to pray for the murdered, but all of us are free to pray as we choose.
Comment by Geena — August 2, 2009 @ 5:24 pm - August 2, 2009
Geena, nothing unique at all about praying for the murdered. That is what we Jews do, we don’t pray for the murderer.
We pray for the souls of the dead, for their friends and family who are left here mourning. The hope is that the murderer will be caught soon and brought to justice – but no prayers for someone who’s actions are the most heinous of all -taking an innocent life.
As to Dermot, you want more progressive laws on the books. Meaningless words. Owning a gun will not always protect you, but it is a lot better than some useless law in Washington or Jerusalem.
These were innocent teenagers and their counselors. The murdered girl isn’t even gay, simply your average teenager who had gay friends and liked hanging out with them. It is a terrible tragedy that a lone evil gunman shot them dead and injured so many others. I do believe this is a hate crime. But the crime of murdering innocent people is enough for me.
Israel does not have the death penalty, I wish they did. Not because it would deter murderers like this one, but because for taking those lives, that is all this person deserves – regardless of the sexual orientation of the victims.
Comment by Leah — August 2, 2009 @ 7:14 pm - August 2, 2009
leah
Israel does not and will not EVER have the death penalty because of their experiences under hitler.
If Israel would only disavow and cut off their many many many illegal settlements, demilitarize the golan and pay reparations to the Palestinians for land they stole, it would be the perfect state.
Comment by gillie — August 2, 2009 @ 7:25 pm - August 2, 2009
SoCalRobert wrote: eliminate evil from mens hearts? That sounds like a big mountain to climb, i sound like a lazy bastard to try and eliminate the concealed pistol from his person.
Also, Mike Hamel, a gay rights activist whose organization runs the youth club, blamed religious incitement against homosexuals for the attack.
“we are facing a situation in which the incitement to hate creates an environment that allows this to happen,” Hamel said.
Sadly im aware preventing weapons in the most innapropriate areas and religious criticism are buzzkills here. SoCalRoberts, have the confidence to say u wouldn’t do anything to stop this happening again?
Comment by Dermot — August 2, 2009 @ 7:33 pm - August 2, 2009
Wow, gillie, do you get your talking points from Hamas directly, or from the administration?
Leah, please let us know if you hear any more news. My prayers are with the families of the deceased.
Comment by The_Livewire — August 2, 2009 @ 7:41 pm - August 2, 2009
“That is what we Jews do, we don’t pray for the murderer”
Leah, is know this. I just found the title odd. a straight’s prayer..for gay. I didn’t find it necessary to know the sexual orientation of the person praying. Identity politics is enough, no desire for identity prayer.
Comment by Geena — August 2, 2009 @ 9:12 pm - August 2, 2009
#26 – no I have witnessed the thugary of some IDF members, Israeli settlers and Israeli government first hand. So I don’t need a Hamas terrorist to tell me that the Israeli settlers are a pack of cowardly theives hiding behind the IDF.
Unfortunately for you it sounds like you get your talking points from World Net Daily. No wonder you are so uninformed!
Comment by gillie — August 2, 2009 @ 9:28 pm - August 2, 2009
Let’s see Dermot, wow, you really do need to vent at conservatives don’t you?
Go read my posts and see why I take issue with the gay left.
And note as well that I favor the death penalty for thugs like the gunmen who shot up the gay center in Tel Aviv and enhanced penalties for crimes based on their degree of violence.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — August 2, 2009 @ 9:34 pm - August 2, 2009
Hey gillie, I was one of those settlers in Gaza 28 years ago. I didn’t bash in any palestinians heads or even steal their land. We gave them jobs. In return I learned how they treat their women folk, mostly murdering them when they became inconvenient.
Your type of leftie is a rare bird in Israel these days, It has become clear to most Israelis that all the Palestinians want to do is kill the Jews and make all of Israel Judenrein. If they are so peace loving why not let the Jews stay and live under their rule???
As to what happened in TA, it is a tragedy, unfortunately these things can happen in the best societies on earth.
As for the straight prayer for the gay victims. I see it as solidarity. Someone with no bone in the fight coming out and supporting people in pain.
The world will never be oblivious to differences, there will always be degrees of racism, misogyny, homophobia. This eutopian idea that it will all one day disappear is absurd. So I am grateful every time someone stands up to the plate and makes a positive statement. Much better than the immdiate hate fest that followed the murder.
Maybe it’s because Israelis are forbidden by world opinion to say what they really think about the arab murderers who have been out for their blood for over 100 years.
So this was a safe way to lash out, of course it was at the wrong people. Whatever you may feel about Shas, they have never condoned or called for murder.
Comment by Leah — August 2, 2009 @ 9:50 pm - August 2, 2009
Why would someone attack a gay teen gathering? I just would like to know this person’s motive. My prayers are with all the victims and their families.
Comment by Swampfox — August 2, 2009 @ 10:02 pm - August 2, 2009
Swampfox, no one knows the motive yet since the killer is still at large. So far people are simply projecting their own ideas onto this man.
Comment by Leah — August 2, 2009 @ 10:18 pm - August 2, 2009
#30 I never said Palestinians were peace loving, nor did I claim they have a handle on human rights.
But that does not change the fact that settlers steal land often under the lie of “natural growth” sometimes false payments and even outright land grabs. If the Palestinians dare to fight back or complain the IDF comes down on them and the settlers run behind their aprons
Israel has no right to that land, yet they take it. The Palestinians resort to barbarism to fight back.
Further Jewish Israelis do not want to allow the thousands of displaced people because in doing so the demographics number game will shape Israel into a Muslim state. So instead they refuse to allow Palestinians to rightfully return to their homes
So what should happen? Israel should return to its orginial borders before their historic land grab.
Comment by gillie — August 2, 2009 @ 11:39 pm - August 2, 2009
[…] Gunman Attacks Gay Center in Israel, Murdering Three […]
Pingback by GayPatriot » Netanyahu Decries Massacre at Tel Aviv Gay Center — August 3, 2009 @ 3:59 am - August 3, 2009
and pay reparations to the Palestinians for land they stole,
How do you steal land from nomads?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — August 3, 2009 @ 6:15 am - August 3, 2009
Thank you for the info Leah,
gillie, the fact that the ‘palastinians’ have any land is evidence of the tolerance and mercy of Israel. What other nation would tollerate years of attacks on their soil by the agents of a foreign power, without leveling the above mentioned power and turning their land into a parking lot?
Also, can you name for me one provision of Oslo that the Palastinians have complied with? One? They don’t even honour the Geneva Conventions you always howl about the US breaking, yet not a peep.
To paraphrase an American Humourist. “Imagine you’re an idiot. Now imagine you’re gillie, but I repeat myself.”
Comment by The Livewire — August 3, 2009 @ 7:29 am - August 3, 2009
Dermot:
Good thing you didn’t refer to this idiotic, self-righteous putz as “ma’am”…
Dermot:
Because life sometimes brings us moments of sheer joy and exquisite pleasure and one should savor the good times…
Comment by John — August 3, 2009 @ 9:05 am - August 3, 2009
These tragic murders are an indictment of mental illness, not of Israel.
Comment by Ignatius — August 3, 2009 @ 9:57 am - August 3, 2009
#13 – “Question for peter hughes:
Does the above make moses a “dirty bastard?””
No, but it makes you appear as a blathering idiot.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 3, 2009 @ 11:57 am - August 3, 2009
#24 – “Israel does not and will not EVER have the death penalty because of their experiences under hitler.”
Then how exactly did they get rid of Eichmann after he was found guilty by an Israeli court in 1961?
Try again.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 3, 2009 @ 11:59 am - August 3, 2009
#33 – “Israel has no right to that land, yet they take it.”
So in other words, you consider the UN to be useless organization, since it was the one that created the State of Israel under the office of Dr. Ralph Bunche.
Your 0-for-infinity now, gilltard. Better leave before you are humiliated even further.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 3, 2009 @ 12:00 pm - August 3, 2009
I never said Palestinians were peace loving, nor did I claim they have a handle on human rights.
Nor have you ever condemned their behavior. Indeed, you make it clear that all Palestinian terrorism is justified in the eyes of your Obama Party, your Barack Obama and his Hamas-quoting church, and your own.
Would you rather be an open gay in Tel Aviv or in Gaza, gillie? The sick part is that you prefer the latter to the former. You hide behind Israeli tolerance while denouncing it yourself.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — August 3, 2009 @ 12:04 pm - August 3, 2009
Peter H: In fairness, Israel has the death penalty only for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity which is what Eichmann was found guilty of.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_Israel
Comment by John — August 3, 2009 @ 1:45 pm - August 3, 2009
#43 – I can very well conceive of any Palestinian who walks into a crowded area in an Israeli city who blows himself up as well as some innocent Israeli bystanders as clearly “genocidal.”
Hence, they should get the death penalty.
But I see your point.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 3, 2009 @ 4:56 pm - August 3, 2009
Re genocide: I agree with Peter Hughes on that subject. For many years the Palestinians have been committing shocking crimes against innocent civilians and where is the outcry over these suicide bombers? They even use children to do their dirty deeds.
Comment by thestraightaussie — August 5, 2009 @ 3:39 am - August 5, 2009
#45 – “They even use children to do their dirty deeds.”
True. That is why every Islamist mother always sighs and tells her friends: “I can remember when they were babies. Children blow up so quickly nowadays, don’t they?”
Sorry, couldn’t resist. 😉
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 5, 2009 @ 11:05 am - August 5, 2009