Memorial for Barnoar victims: 'Eradicate homophobia'

Tel Aviv mayor, MKs on hand for ceremony marking fourth anniversary of deadly shooting spree at gay youth center. 'Attitude towards the members of the community has not improved,' activist says

Itay Blumenthal|Published: 08.03.13 , 23:25

A few weeks after the Barnoar murder case was solved, dozens of people marked Saturday evening the fourth anniversary of the shooting spree at the gay youth center in central Tel Aviv, which left two people dead and 11 injured.

Many of those on hand criticized the government's refusal to define the shooting as a hate crime. "Despite common perception, the attitude towards the members of the community has not improved," said Michal Sher, an LGBT helpline volunteer who presented data indicating that violence against gays was still rampant in Israel.

Related stories:

During the event, held at Tel Aviv's Meir Park, Health Minister Yael German (Yesh Atid) said, "At least once a year educational institutions should discuss the matter (violence against gays) in order to eradicate this pus that exists within homophobia."

"This is the only way we will be able to create tolerance within society," she explained.

Ceremony at Meir Park (Photo: Itay Blumenthal)

A letter by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) was read out during the ceremony. "The reason the murder was ignorance. Our duty as leaders is to fight for equality and uproot prejudices," she said in the letter.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai promised that the city would "continue to be a banner of democracy, tolerance and openness; it will continue to serve as a home for every minority."

Photo: Itay Blumenthal

Huldai's rival in the next mayoral elections, Knesset Member Nitzan Horowitz, said during the event: "Since the murder we have all felt that something deep has gone wrong and we mustn't project a business as usual attitude.

"The murderer was certain of only one thing: They (people at Barnoar) are homosexuals and lesbians. He acted purely out of hatred and blindness," said the lawmaker from the Meretz party.

A councelor at the gay youth center told the ceremony: "I am here to say in a clear voice – the indiscriminate shooting of teenagers with the intent to kill them only because they are members of the gay community is a hate crime."

Nir Katz, 26, and Liz Trubeshi, 16 were killed on the August 1, 2009 when a veiled man entered the Barnoar LGBT youth center in Tel Aviv and began gunning down the teenagers and counselors who were gathered there.

In early July Hagai Felician was charged with murder and attempted murder for his alleged role as the trigger man in the August 2009 shooting spree at Barnoar.