Israeli high school student, Shira Banki, 16, (left and the one in green with the knife in her back) was one of six people stabbed by ultra-orthodox jew Yishai Shlissel during a gay pride march in Jerusalem on Thursday July 30th. She died today at Hadassah hospital from injuries sustained during the attack. She wasn't gay...she went to the march in support of her LGBT friends. Sad
In a statement her family said:
'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. 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.' The family requests the public respect their privacy as they grieve. We won't permit the terrible murderer to challenge the basic values on which Israeli society is built.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement after sending his condolences to the family.
'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.'
Candlelight vigils held tonight in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in memory of Shira.
Of the remaining five people wounded in the attack two are still in hospital in a serious condition, while three others have been released from hospital.