by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
A Haaretz-Dialog poll has found that 46 percent of Israelis "see homosexuality as a perversion."
Forty-two percent don't see it that way and 12 percent don't know what they think, the Haaretz newspaper reported Aug. 6.
Ultra-Orthodox respondents were most likely to label homosexuality a perversion (71 percent) and secular people were least likely to do so (24 percent).
On Aug. 1, a gunman opened fire at a youth meeting in the Tel Aviv clubhouse of the Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association. Two people were killed – Liz Troubishi, 16, and Nir Katz, 26 – and 15 were injured. The shooter, who wore black clothes and a mask, remains at large.
On Aug. 8, some 70,000 people and President Shimon Peres gathered in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square in response to the shootings.
"This heinous murder of youth and teenagers is an act that a civilized nation cannot tolerate," Peres said in a statement released by the Israeli Consulate General in New York. "Murder and hate are two of the most appalling crimes against society. I call the police to do its utmost to catch this vile murderer. I call all the citizens of Israel to denounce this crime."
Openly gay Knesset Member Nitzan Horowitz blamed the attack on public figures who have denounced gay people, according to the consulate.
"We will not step back into the dark closet, we shall not be terrorized," Horowitz said. "Years of incitement from politicians, rabbis and public officials have materialized into this tragedy. We shall not forgive nor forget them."
