Jerusalem Pride stabbings: Girl, 16, critical as suspect appears in court over attack
'I do not accept this court’s authority - this court does not follow the rules of the holy Torah,' Mr Schlissel told the court
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An ultra-Orthodox Jewish extremist suspected of stabbing revellers at Jerusalem’s Gay Pride parade appeared in court and was remanded in custody on 31 July. The accused, Yishai Schlissel, was arrested on 30 July after he allegedly brandished a knife and stabbed six people.
Mr Schlissel, who served 10 years in prison for an identical attack in 2005, refused to accept the jurisdiction of Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court and represented himself at the hearing. The court extended his detention by 12 days as the investigation continued.
“I do not accept this court’s authority. This court does not follow the rules of the holy Torah,” Mr Schlissel told the court, the Haaretz newspaper reported. “This court is part of the mechanism of evil. I have no interest in co-operating at all. I do not recognise any of the regime’s institutions.”
Officials at the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre in Jerusalem, which received two of those wounded in the attack, said a 16-year-old girl remained in critical condition with wounds to her chest and shoulder. Three others were in hospital but their conditions were not life threatening, and another two had been discharged.
The Pride parade went ahead as planned after the stabbings, with music, flags and rainbow-clad marchers wending their way through central Jerusalem under a heavy police presence.
Condemnation poured in against the attack, including from ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders, and the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called it “a despicable hate crime”, adding: “Freedom of individual choice is a basic value in Israel.”
AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments