Suspect in stabbing of six at Jerusalem Pride has arrest extended
An ultra-Orhtodox extremist who was arrested suspected of stabbing six people at Jerusalem Pride has been remanded in custody.
Appearing in court on Friday, Yishai Sclissel, who was arrested at the event, after six people were stabbed, the suspect was told his arrest would be extended by 12 days.
A police spokesman has confirmed that the person arrested was the same man who stabbed four people at the same parade in 2005.
Yishai Schlissel, an ultra-Orthodox Jew, was released three weeks ago after serving 10 years in prison for the previous attack.
According to the newspaper Maariv, Schlissel wrote a letter ahead of the attack saying: “It is the obligation of every Jew to keep his soul from punishment and stop this giant desecration of God’s name next Thursday.”
“Once again, the evildoers want to have a parade of sin and of all places, in Jerusalem — city of the king of kings blessed be he — in order to defile its holiness and desecrate its holy name on Thursday. They are always looking for ways to desecrate God’s name even more.”
Pictures were posted to Twitter of people being stretchered away with bandages and blood visible. The man was brandishing a knife in the photo.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has spoken out to condemn the attack.
He said: “Justice will be dealt to whoever was responsible for this act. In the State of Israel, an individual’s freedom of choice is one of the country’s most basic values.”
“It is up to us to make sure that every man and woman can live in safety at all times in every way that they choose to live.
“This is how we work and this is how we will continue to do things. I wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.”
Two of the victims from the stabbings, a teenage girl and a 26-year old man are still in serious condition.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli PM, has spoken out to condemn the stabbing.
