The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) has awarded Nir Katz, a youth counselor who was killed in an attack on a gay community center in Tel Aviv, a medal of commendation awarded each year to defenders of human rights.
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"Nir Katz won the commendation because with his activities at the community center and other activities in which he took part he promoted the understanding of the other," said Nirit Moskowitz of the ACRI.
"He helped teens who were dealing with their sexual identity at such a vulnerable stage, and also assisted minorities."
Ayala Katz, Nir's mother, said she was excited about the commendation. "It's exciting but also sad," she said, adding that he had taken part in other human and animal rights activities.
"He was vegan, which represents the defense of the rights of animals as well as the environment, and he would chase down blood donation vehicles in order to change the shameful clause on homosexuality," Katz said, referring to a clause prohibiting paramedics from accepting blood donations from homosexuals.
This year's commendation will also be awarded to Paul and Ruth Kedar, founders of the Yesh Din organization, which fights against "injustices and violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories."
A ceremony honoring recipients of the award will be held this Friday, following a human rights march in Tel Aviv.
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