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Feb 24, 2011
Israel has put a stay on plans to expel the German partner of an Israeli killed in a 2009 shooting at a community center in Tel Aviv.
Thomas Schmidt, 27, began the bureaucratic process of registering himself as the partner of an Israeli citizen in 2008. But less than a year later, a masked gunman opened fire at a meeting of gay and lesbian youth and killed two Israelis, including Schmidt’s partner, Nir Katz, 26.
It was the worst assault against Israel’s gay community. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to bring the killer to justice, while other Israeli leaders vowed efforts to promote tolerance toward gays and lesbians in Israel.
Police continue to search for the assailant.
Schmidt, who has lived in Israel since 2004, wishes to remain in the country, said Nirit Moskovich of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, which represents Schmidt. He has grown close to the family of his slain Israeli partner and does not maintain contact with his family in Germany, Moskovich said.
Sabine Hadad, a spokeswoman for Israel’s Interior Ministry, said Schmidt’s case was brought last year before a special humanitarian committee, which ruled that Schmidt could extend his stay in Israel for nine months only.
But in mid-February, under pressure from the family and LGBT activists, Schmidt received an extension on his temporary visa.
From AP reports
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