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Photo: AP
Chief rabbis
Photo: AP
Rabbi Ron Yosef

Rabbis condemn anti-gay shooting

Chief Rabbinate says appalled at 'unthinkable, vile crime' that left two dead. Gay Orthodox rabbi calls on public leaders to denounce attack

The Chief Rabbinate expressed shock and outrage at the Tel Aviv shooting at a gay youth center Saturday evening, calling it "an unthinkable, vile crime." In a statement published Sunday the Rabbinate said that, "When Moses saw a Jew beating another Jew he called him evil. This is all the more true when a Jew murders a Jew."

 

Meanwhile, the Hod organization for Orthodox gay men strongly condemned "the horrible massacre committed against the gay and lesbian community in Tel Aviv," conveyed its condolences to the victims' families and wished speedy recovery to those who were injured.

 

Rabbi Ron Yosef, a homosexual Orthodox rabbi who runs the organization, told Ynet that he has been receiving threats on his life in the last year.


Tel Aviv shooting Saturday (Photo: AFP)

 

"I call on the Israeli and especially public leaders and rabbis from across the political spectrum, to denounce and condemn this crime and expressions of hatred and violence, and act firmly against the verbal and physical violence directed at gays and lesbians," Rabbi Yosef stated.

 

The Havruta group for religious gays in Israel, said in response to the attack: "We at Havruta are shocked by the shooting and the killing of two innocent people, and the wounding of people who never harmed anyone.

 

"We hope that the police catch this despicable murderer and bring him to justice. The Havruta family sends its condolences to the families of those killed and prays for the speedy recovery of all those who were injured."

 

The organization has opened a 24-hour hotline for religious gays and their families and said it would provide assistance through its website as well.

 

The two groups asked to dedicate the following Psalms chapter to the victims:

 

A Song of Ascents: Out of the depths have I called Thee, O Lord

Lord, hearken unto my voice; let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

For with Thee there is forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.

My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning; yea, more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.

And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.02.09, 16:26
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