Jerusalem Holds Gay Pride Parade One Year After Killing of Girl at March
by JNS.org
JNS.org – The 2016 Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade was held Thursday, one year after convicted haredi killer Yishai Schlissel stabbed 16-year-old Shira Banki to death at the 2015 parade. Schlissel, who is already in prison for the crime, was rearrested (in his jail cell) for conspiring with his brother to attack the year’s parade.
“Any and all attempts to disrupt the parade will be met with a firm and resolute response, and they will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Jerusalem District Police Commander Yoram Halevy, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
“As part of targeted police evaluations of the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem, Jerusalem Central Unit investigators arrested Schlissel, who is serving a life prison term for the murder of Shira Banki and wounding six others during last year’s parade,” said police spokeswoman Luba Samri, according to the Jerusalem Post.
“According to the information and the evidence accumulated…Schlissel planned with his brother, Michael, to harm the Jerusalem Pride Parade participants and to disrupt the parade,” she added.
As part of this year’s parade, participants had the option to place flowers at the site of last year’s stabbing.