Probe of cops’ failure to thwart gay parade stabbing concludes

An internal probe of the police conduct surrounding the fatal stabbing at the Jerusalem Pride Parade last month was set to be submitted on Sunday, with the report evaluating the authorities’ failure to monitor the ultra-Orthodox assailant, who carried out an identical attack a decade ago.

A special committee was set to present its conclusions to senior security officials. The report was expected to call out senior Jerusalem police officers, including Jerusalem District Commander Moshe Edri.

In a statement, police said the findings would ultimately be made public.

“It is our intention to behave with transparency and fairness and to publicize in a proper manner the committee findings after they have been presented, worked on, and decisions made about the issue and likewise after all those connected to the matter are appropriately informed via us [the police] and not via the media.”

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan set up the committee in the wake of the July 30 incident, in which Yishai Schlissel stabbed half a dozen parade participants, wounding five and killing Shira Banki, 16.

Schlissel carried out the attack three weeks after he was released from prison, after serving a 10-year sentence for perpetrating an identical crime in 2005. He had openly declared his animosity to the gay pride event since his recent release from prison.

On Saturday night, victims of the attack sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Erdan, and Deputy Commissioner Bentzi Sau demanding that those behind the police failure take responsibility, that the police apologize, and that the committee’s conclusions be made public, Channel 2 reported.

In the letter, the victims termed the incident a “failure” by the police.

“When the conclusions are drawn and it is clear who is responsible for the failure we expect them to take personal responsibility for their failures,” they wrote.

“Despite all the warning signs the police didn’t prevent a hate crime that cost the life of a wonderful young girl,” the letter continued, urging a full, transparent investigation.

Ahead of the parade, senior members of the Jerusalem District Police named six individuals, four men — including Schlissel — and two women, who were suspected of planning to carry out acts of violence against the marchers, Channel 2 reported earlier this month. However, even after he was named, police did not take any measures to monitor Schlissel.

“We demand an answer to the question: Did it occur to the police to put a close watch on the murderer who was released from prison days beforehand and expressed his intention to stab again?” the victims wrote.

Authorities had already come under fire for failing to keep Schlissel away from the annual march, despite his making public statements indicating he planned to attack the parade. Schlissel also distributed a handwritten anti-gay manifesto in which he called the march “shameful” and “blasphemous.”

Adiv Sterman contributed to this report.