(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

President Rivlin commented on the stabbing attack at the Gay Pride in Jerusalem (30 July 2015):
 
"We came together today for a festive event, but the joy was shattered when a terrible hate crime occurred here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
 
"People celebrating their freedom and expressing their identity were viciously stabbed. We must not be deluded, a lack of tolerance will lead us to disaster. We cannot allow such crimes, and we must condemn those who commit and support them. I wish the injured a full and speedy recovery."


(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Thursday, 30 July 2015), issued the following statement:

"A despicable hate crime was committed this evening in Jerusalem. In Israel everyone, including the gay community, has the right to live in peace, and we will defend that right. I welcome the Israeli religious leadership's condemnation of this terrible crime, and I call on all those in positions of leadership to denounce this contemptible act. In the name of all of Israelis, I wish the wounded a full and speedy recovery."

On Friday (31 July 2015) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Yarden Noy, who was stabbed yesterday at the Pride Parade in Jerusalem, at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Netanyahu told him, "Everyone has the right to live in peace in Israel and we will defend that right." The Prime Minister also told him that a comprehensive inquiry is being held as to how the man who perpetrated a similar crime ten years ago could have had access to the event.
 
Shaare Zedek Deputy Director Dr. Ofer Marin updated Prime Minister Netanyahu on Noy's progress and said that he is due to be released in the coming days.
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu, on behalf of the citizens of Israel, sent his wishes for a quick recovery to Noy and the young woman who was severely wounded and is hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem.


Statement by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat:

"The criminal act this evening in Jerusalem is an attempt to disrupt social life in the city and to suppress the basic human right of freedom of expression. We will not tolerate any excuse for violence of any kind. In Jerusalem, there is a place for everyone and together with the Israeli Police we will continue to target anyone who violently attempts to hurt others. We will continue to staunchly support all of Jerusalem's communities and groups."