Responses to Tel Aviv Murders
Wednesday, 05 August 2009
The World Union for Progressive Judaism representing over 1.8 million Jews worldwide strongly condemns the senseless attack on the Gay and Lesbian community in Tel Aviv.This mindless act of violence that has resulted in death and serious injury was an attack against all decent people in Israeli society. It is particularly painful as Israel has been a beacon throughout the world in providing a degree of equality and tolerance for members of the gay and lesbian community. The WUPJ supports the Prime Minister and President of Israel in their condemnation and calls on all political and religious leaders to express their revulsion by this attack against innocent young people.
The WUPJ and its affiliates stand strongly with the Gay and Lesbian community of Israel and together with our Israel affiliate, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, offer our condolences and sorrow to those who have lost a loved one.
Philip Bliss Dr. ( WUPJ Vice Chair Advocacy)
the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism: On behalf of the Progressive Jewish family in Israel, we would like to express our utter shock over the recent shooting in Tel Aviv. We bow our heads in condolence for these two young victims whose lives were brutally ended on Saturday night. We join in the deep sadness of the family members and the Israeli GLBT community. The fact that this shocking murder cut short an innocent gathering of youth only deepens the pain and shock.
The possibility that this murder is a hate crime heightens our awareness of discrimination in light of the GLBT community overcoming hateful incitement and primitive opinions in Israeli society. Throughout the moments of great achievements in the struggle to prevent intolerance, the GLBT community in Israel unfortunately knows countless moments of having to cope with the pains of exposing hate, incitement, and outright rejection. This difficult tragedy has intensified the urgent need for a mutual struggle against these nasty and menacing phenomena.
At this difficult time, the Progressive Jewish communities in Israel proudly stand with the members of the GLBT community in Israel. We are here to provide the community with public, educational, and spiritual support. We call upon our rabbis and members of our community to take part in the memorials to pay homage to those who have been killed and support those who have been wounded. We will be present at the demonstrations that will follow these tragic murders. We hope that this participation will demonstrate our commitment to building a more tolerant society together, promoting respect of all people.
Our hearts go out to the young people killed and wounded on Saturday night and our lips carry a prayer for the days to come that will embody the verses of the prophet Isaiah: “They shall not hurt or destroy anywhere in My holy mountain.” (11:9)
Anat Hoffman
Executive Director, Israel Religious Action Center
Rabbi Gilad Kariv
Director, Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
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