Jerusalem's municipality announced plans to commemorate Shira Banki, who was murdered at the Pride Parade in 2015, by including her name in the city's street name registry near the location of her death.
The municipality of Jerusalem has declared its intention to commemorate Shira Banki, a victim of a deadly attack during the city's Pride Parade in 2015. Her name will be added to the urban street name registry, with a general agreement to mark her memory close to the site where she was tragically killed. The specific location for this commemoration is yet to be determined.
Shira Banki was fatally stabbed by Yishai Schlissel, an extremist who targeted the parade with violent intent, causing outrage and prompting discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and safety in Israel. Despite the city’s plans to honor Banki's memory, the announcement has faced opposition from some ultra-Orthodox nationalist council members, who argue that she has already been commemorated in various ways throughout Jerusalem and raise concerns regarding the perceived glorification of her legacy.
The decision to honor Banki comes amid ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ acceptance in Israel and the challenges faced by the community, which still experiences significant opposition from conservative and ultra-religious groups. This commemoration may serve to reinforce the recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals' rights and contributions to Israeli society, while also highlighting tensions within different segments of the population regarding inclusivity and remembrance of events that have shaped societal dialogues in the country.
