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Six injured in Jerusalem gay pride parade stabbing

By Amy R. Connolly
Yishai Shlissel, an anti-gay extremist and Orthodox Jew, launched a knife attack on revelers at the annual Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, injuring six. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI.
Yishai Shlissel, an anti-gay extremist and Orthodox Jew, launched a knife attack on revelers at the annual Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, injuring six. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI. | License Photo

JERUSALEM, July 31 (UPI) -- An anti-gay extremist launched a knife attack Friday on revelers at the annual Gay Pride parade in the streets of the holy city, stabbing six, injuring two critically.

Yishai Schlissel, an Orthodox Jew, was released from prison three weeks ago after serving 10 years for stabbing and wounding three marchers in the same parade in 2005. In the march Friday, two women and four men were wounded.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack "a despicable hate crime" and said the government would "pursue justice for those responsible."

"In the state of Israel, the freedom of choice of an individual is one of the most basic values," he said. "We must ensure that in Israel every man and woman lives confidently in any way they (choose)."

Thousands of people were at the 13th annual parade, which was under heavy security. Witnesses said Schlissel broke through the crowd with a knife hidden under his jacket. Police wrestled him to the ground and arrested, but not before he could cause injuries.

Authorities said Schlissel was released from prison after serving 10 years of his 12-year sentence for attempted murder and aggravated assault. In recent weeks, he allegedly circulated a handwritten manifesto opposing the parade.

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Benzi Gopstein, chairman of the right-wing group Lehava, said even though his group staged a protest to the parade, they "oppose the stabbing of Jews." He called on the police to permanently cancel the parade to prevent similar incidents.

Israel is known for its liberal gay-rights policies despite the continued hostility from the Jewish community.

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