Solidarity: 70,000 Attend Tel Aviv Rally For Victims Of LGBT Center Shooting

More than 70,000 Israelis, including President Shimon Peres, attended last night’s solidarity rally for the victims of the shooting at a Tel Aviv LGBT youth center.

“The shots which struck this proud community affected us all as human beings, as Jews and as Israelis. The man who targeted the two victims targeted all of us,” Peres said. Two people died when a masked, black-clad gunman opened fire on the group of young gays and lesbians at the entrance to the community centre in the heart of Israel’s commercial capital late on Saturday August 1. “Everyone has the right to be different and proud. Noone has the right to interfere in other people’s lives so long as everyone respects law and order,” Peres said. “I came to share your tears after the death of two young innocents. Be strong and courageous,” he said. There was a strong police presence following threats made over the Internet or by telephone. Police said an ultra-Orthodox soldier suspected of being behind some of the threats has been arrested in Jerusalem.