A 16-year-old girl stabbed in an attack on participants at Jerusalem’s Pride march has died in hospital. Shira Banki, 16, was stabbed at Jerusalem's Pride march Shira Banki was among six people wounded by an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man, who had recently been released from prison after a similar attack in 2005. "Our magical Shira was murdered because she was a happy 16-year-old – full of life and love – who came to express her support for her friends' rights to live as they choose,” the teenager’s family says in a statement. A memorial vigil at Jerusalem's Zion Square “For no good reason and because of evil, stupidity and negligence, the life of our beautiful flower was cut short. Bad things happen to good people, and a very bad thing happened to our amazing girl. The family expresses hope for a less hatred and more tolerance." Several hundred people have taken part in spontaneous rallies and memorials, held in her memory in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Ultra-Orthodox Jew Yishai Shlissel remains in custody following the stabbings. He was released from jail just three weeks ago, after having served his sentence for an attack ten years ago which left three Pride marchers wounded. Since his release he'd posted a letter on the internet speaking of the "abomination" of a Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem. He also told a radio station 10 days ago that "the fight continues against those who defile" God. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent his condolences to Banki’s family, and stated "We won't permit the terrible murderer to challenge the basic values on which Israeli society is built.” He added: “We reject with disgust any attempt to impose hatred and violence among us and will bring the murderer to justice. Shira was murdered because she bravely supported the principle that everyone has the right to live their lives respectfully and with security."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 3rd August 2015 - 8:52am