Shira Banki, 16, who suffered critical injuries when she was stabbed at the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade on Thursday, died on Sunday afternoon. Banki and five others were rushed to hospitals across the capital after they were stabbed by Yishai Schlissel, an ultra-Orthodox man only recently released from prison after having served 10 years for a similar attack in 2005, in which he stabbed three people. Banki suffered critical injuries to her upper torso and was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, where she was placed on life support as doctors fought for her life. After three days, however, she succumbed to her wounds. Her family has decided to donate her organs. Four of those who were injured on Thursday were released from hospitals over the weekend. The fifth victim, who suffered moderate wounds, is still hospitalized at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. "Our beloved Shira was murdered solely for being a happy, loving 16-year-old girl, who wanted to support her friends' rights -- everyone's right -- to live their lives as they wish," her parents, Uri and Mika Banki, said in a statement to the media. "Our lovely flower was taken from us for no reason, for nothing but malice, stupidity and negligence. Bad things happen to good people, and this terrible thing has befallen this wonderful child. The family hopes for a little less hatred and much more tolerance. We didnt hesitate in deciding to donate her organs to save other people's lives," the statement said. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said Sunday he was deeply saddened by the news, and offered the family his condolences. "The murder at the pride parade was a heinous act, and we will not allow it to achieve its goal," Barkat said. The Jerusalem Municipality assigned additional psychologists and social workers to counsel Banki's classmates and has opened a special mental health hotline to counsel anyone affected by Thursday's events. The Hebrew University Secondary School, which the 16-year-old attended, held special counseling sessions on Friday and Sunday for her classmates. Those arriving at the school gates saw the rainbow flag and an obituary reading, "The Hebrew University Secondary School mourns the untimely death of Shira Banki, a 10th grade student murdered by a radical, hate-filled man. Her death mandates we accept and love others, and cherish individual freedoms." Education Ministry Director General Michal Cohen said the ministry was working closely with the school and will offer teachers, parents and student any assistance necessary during this difficult time. "The education system strives to prevent violence and encourage tolerance and acceptance. Recent events require the school system to address the issue seriously throughout the next school year," she said. The Israel Gay Youth Organization issued a statement mourning the 16-year-old's death. "Our hearts are with the family. We promise Shira's blood was not spilled in vain," it said. The group's community centers and hotline also offers psychological counseling to teenagers affected by Thursday's attack. The Jerusalem District Police has come under scathing criticism over the attack, as its forces had been alerted to Schlissel's release and the possibility that he might target the parade. Television footage of the parade shows Schlissel standing on its sidelines for some time prior to the attack, but none of the police securing the parade seemed to have noticed him. Acting Police Commissioner Benzi Sau has ordered a special internal investigation into the police's failures in the incident. Former Deputy Police Commissioner Yisrael Yitzhak was named to head the investigation and is expected to present his findings by Aug. 16. A police source told Israel Hayom assigning personal liability to individuals in the Jerusalem District Police was "inevitable," as the attack "indicated outrageous failures along the district chain of command." Schlissel, who was arraigned Sunday at the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court, refuses to cooperate with the police. A court-mandated psychiatric evaluation found him competent to stand trial, but he has refused legal counsel, and he has informed the court that he does not recognize its authority as he believes it is "a mechanism of evil." Judge Chana Miriam Lomp granted the police's motion and remanded Schlissel for 12 days.
Credit: Reuters
Schlissel was apprehended by police moments after the attack.
