Laura Cereta
08-04-2009, 12:24 PM
Hundreds of Israelis have joined a rally organised by the gay community after shootings at a gay youth centre.
Two people died and at least 11 were hurt when the gunman opened fire at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association before fleeing.
The city's Mayor, Ron Huldai, said the motive was unclear and police declined to comment except to say a Palestinian link was not suspected.
But the protesters condemned the attack as Israel's worst hate crime.
"I fear that if the man who did this is not found, the consequences to the gay community might be far-reaching - they might live in fear," said 47-year-old lawyer Arnon Hirsch.
Gay rights activist Mike Hamel criticised religiously-driven hatred of homosexuals.
"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.
One worker at the centre said some parents of the teenagers did not know their children were gay until they received phone calls telling them their children had been injured.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the killer to justice.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who attended the rally, said the attack should strengthen young people who wanted to come out of the closet.
People from the gay community are allowed to serve openly in the military, and couples are given a measure of legal recognition.
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Two people died and at least 11 were hurt when the gunman opened fire at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association before fleeing.
The city's Mayor, Ron Huldai, said the motive was unclear and police declined to comment except to say a Palestinian link was not suspected.
But the protesters condemned the attack as Israel's worst hate crime.
"I fear that if the man who did this is not found, the consequences to the gay community might be far-reaching - they might live in fear," said 47-year-old lawyer Arnon Hirsch.
Gay rights activist Mike Hamel criticised religiously-driven hatred of homosexuals.
"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.
One worker at the centre said some parents of the teenagers did not know their children were gay until they received phone calls telling them their children had been injured.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the killer to justice.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who attended the rally, said the attack should strengthen young people who wanted to come out of the closet.
People from the gay community are allowed to serve openly in the military, and couples are given a measure of legal recognition.
Read more @
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/v4/header_blocks.gif (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180655.stm)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180655.stm