Teen Arrested in Alleged Homophobic Attack at Jaffa Port
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Police arrested a 16-year-old suspect in connection with a violent, allegedly homophobic attack on a man in Jaffa Port on Tuesday. The victim reported being assaulted with a helmet and threatened with death. The Aguda, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has demanded urgent police intervention and highlighted two other recent anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in Haifa and Tel Aviv. The organization cites a trend of increasing violence, with at least one weekly attack on the community in Israel.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A 16-year-old was arrested for a violent, allegedly homophobic attack in Jaffa Port.
- The victim reported being assaulted with a helmet and receiving death threats.
- The Aguda called for urgent police intervention and highlighted two other recent anti-LGBTQ+ incidents.
- The advocacy group states at least one weekly physical attack occurs against the LGBTQ+ community in Israel.
- Police are investigating the attack for potential hate crime motives.
- The Aguda requested a public condemnation of anti-LGBTQ+ violence from the Police Commissioner.
Police in Jaffa arrested a 16-year-old boy on Thursday morning in connection with a violent assault on a man in Jaffa Port on Tuesday. According to a police statement, the victim was attacked while walking with a friend. The suspect was taken for questioning at the Jaffa station and subsequently detained. Police announced they would seek to extend his remand in court. Investigators are also examining whether the attack was motivated by hate.
The victim, in a social media account shared with the Aguda's hotline for reporting homophobia, stated the incident began with homophobic slurs and quickly escalated to violence. He reported being attacked with a helmet, joined by other assailants, and that an attempt was made to stab him with a broken glass bottle, with explicit death threats made during the assault.
In response, the Aguda (The Israeli LGBTQ+ Task Force) sent a letter to Police Commissioner Danny Levi, demanding urgent personal intervention. The letter, signed by acting CEO Shelly Gur, described the incident as severe and potentially fatal. The Aguda stated that the intervention of the victim's companion and the arrival of police helped end the attack and prevent further escalation. Complaints have been filed with the police.
The Aguda highlighted two other recent incidents. On September 20, a transgender woman reported a severe assault by women in Haifa after they made derogatory remarks about her being transgender. On September 22, a Tel Aviv resident reported his neighbor threatened to kill him with homophobic slurs after banging forcefully on his door. Both victims filed police complaints.
The Aguda claims these three incidents, along with others reported this year, indicate a growing trend. Their 2025 report indicates at least one physical attack against a member of the LGBTQ+ community occurs weekly in Israel, with half of documented public incidents being physical assaults. The organization urged the Commissioner to ensure thorough investigations, locate perpetrators, review evidence, assess victim risk, and implement protective measures, including restraining orders. They also called for a public condemnation of anti-LGBTQ+ violence to send a clear message against hate crimes.
