Yesterday (Thursday), a contractor vehicle was set on fire in the municipality of Hod Hasharon that was engaged in removing pride flags at the end of Pride Month. It is suspected that the pile of pride flags in the vehicle was set on fire, which quickly set the trailer and the vehicle next to it on fire. The Hod Hasharon Municipality filed a complaint with the police, ordered new pride flags and plans to "demonstrate values of equality, tolerance and pride" in response to the act.
The vehicle that burned,
Hod Hasharon Mayor Amir Kochavi said: "On the eve of the 17th of Tammuz, a day commemorative of the breach of the Jerusalem Wall that finally led to the destruction of the Second Temple, due to unfounded hatred, a young incited and violent man chose a path that no fast would atone for, causing severe damage to property, immediate danger to human life and a violent attack on the values of tolerance, diversity and community – our values. A complaint has been filed with the police and I am sure that not only the arsonist will be caught, but also those who directed him on his way in the hope that they will find a way to truly repent.
More than 1,000 celebrating at the Beer Sheva Gay Pride Parade // Photo: Yaniv Zohar:
"In the past month we have witnessed incitement against education for equality and inclusion, and incitement in disguise, by those who 'just explain' that 'there is already equality and there is no need to hang a flag that hurts.' Flag does not hurt, deliberate and dangerous arson does. We will continue to strive for equality even in the face of fearless and impartial manifestations of hatred and violence."
Hila Pe'er, Chairperson of the Association for LGBT Rights: "Violence against LGBT people crosses every boundary we have seen in recent times. When a coalition member says that LGBT people are worse than ISIS and Hamas and the government is silent, that's the answer in the streets. This grave incident could have ended differently, just like the burning of the pride flag in Pardes Hanna Karkur in front of the home of a lesbian couple who stopped the fire before reaching the childhood room. We're here and we're not going anywhere. The gay community will also triumph over this wild bloodletting, we deserve to live our lives in safety. Thank you Mayor Amir Kochavi, who stands with the gay community and made it clear that he will not stand idly by the hatred."
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