16-Year-Old Victim Of Jerusalem Gay Pride Attack Dies

By On Top Magazine Staff
Published: August 02, 2015

Shira Banki on Sunday succumbed to the wounds she received during an attack Thursday on Jerusalem's annual Gay Pride Parade.

The teen participated in the parade to show solidarity with her LGBT friends. She leaves behind her parents and three siblings, according to Haaretz.

“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,” her parents said in a written statement. “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.”

Yishai Schlissel, an ultra-Orthodox man who was recently released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence for attacking three people who participated in the city's 2005 parade, wounded six people with a knife during Thursday's attack. He was quickly subdued by police.

Appearing in court the following day, Schlissel said that he did not recognize the court's authority over him.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences to the family, saying in a statement that the teen was murdered “because she courageously supported the idea that everyone is entitled to live their lives in dignity and safety.”

Thousands of people on Saturday attended rallies in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to protest several recent attacks, including Thursday's stabbing.