Three gay teens were killed and at
least 10 others wounded during an attack on a gay club in Tel Aviv,
the BBC reported.
Witnesses say a masked, lone gunman
stormed into the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association building and
sprayed automatic fire in a basement room as a support group for gay
teenagers assembled.
City Councillor Yaniv Weizman told the
BBC, “It's a big shock in Tel Aviv, one of the most liberal and
free cities,” and described the city as the heart of the gay and
lesbian community in Israel.
Weizman, however, did admit that the
LGBT community continues to face discrimination is Israel.
“It is not surprising that such a
crime can be committed [because of the] incident of hatred against
the homosexual community,” gay activist Mai Pelem told the AFP.
The incident sparked off a citywide
manhunt to catch the killer. Police quickly set up roadblocks.
Weisman called the incident a
“premeditated” hate crime. “Those hurt were very young,” he
added.
“Without a doubt the biggest ever
attack on the Israeli gay community, we are all in shock,” openly
gay Knesset member Nitzan Horowitz told reporters.