Sharit Shekur murder

Sharit Ahmed Shekur was an 18-year-old Druze girl from the village Kasra-Samieh in the Upper Galilee, whom tragically lost her life - as she was murdered on June 9, 2023. As per her friends' accounts, the murder took place against the backdrop of homophobia, stemming from her sexual orientation..

Following the murder, it was decided to establish a shelter for LGBT Arabs immediately - its important to note that up to this day it have not yet open.

Background

When Sarit was 15 years old, approximately three years before the murder, she courageously came out as a lesbian. Due to her sexual orientation, she faced persecution from her family and received death threats from her brother. In 2020, Sarit filed a complaint against her brother, and a year later, both were convicted. However, only one of the brothers served an actual prison sentence of only two months. Before her murder, Sarit sought refuge in a women's shelter.

According to sources, following her brother's release from prison, Sarit reportedly reached out to the authorities due to feeling unsafe. The police made efforts to persuade Sarit to return to the shelter where she had sought refuge previously, but she declined.

The murder

On Friday, June 9, 2023, tragedy struck as Sharit Ahmed Shokur was fatally shot at the entrance to Yerka by unidentified individuals. Initially, the incident was presumed to be yet another act of violence stemming from crime within the Arab community in Israel. However, it was later revealed that the murder was motivated by homophobia. On June 10, 2023, reports emerged stating that the police were actively searching for one of her brothers, who is considered the primary suspect in her murder.

Furthermore, it is distressing to note that during the tragic event, real-time images of Sarit lying injured and dying were leaked, adding an additional layer of violation and insensitivity to the already heartbreaking situation.

After the murder

Following the tragic murder, protests erupted both in Tel Aviv and at the Kishor intersection, the very location where the heinous crime occurred. Heartbreakingly, after the police forces departed from the site, local youths vandalized a makeshift memorial that had been set up in remembrance of Sarit. The incident escalated into a riot, during which Ali Moghrabi, a News 13 reporter who was covering the demonstration, was viciously attacked. The severity of the assault required Moghrabi to seek immediate medical attention and be hospitalized. The violence and destruction surrounding Sarit's murder extended to those who sought to report on the events, further highlighting the tense and volatile nature of the situation.

Alkawas, a Palestinian organization advocating for Palestinian LGBT rights, took the initiative to organize a memorial rally on June 13, 2023, on Ben Gurion Street in Haifa, the response from Arab-Israeli parliamentary leaders remained conspicuously silent. This silence raised concerns and highlighted the need for inclusive dialogue and action within political circles to address the issue of violence against the LGBTQ+ community.

Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that the presence of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments within certain sectors of the Israeli government adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The current state of affairs in the Israeli Ministry reflects the existence of individuals who hold discriminatory views against the LGBTQ+ community, thereby underscoring the need for comprehensive efforts to foster acceptance, tolerance, and protection for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

During the aforementioned memorial rally organized by Alkawas, approximately 150 individuals participated, and a symbolic memorial was established to honor the memory of Sarit, serving as a poignant reminder of the impact her life had on those advocating for LGBT rights in Palestine.

Following Sarit's murder, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced the establishment of a shelter specifically for LGBT Arabs. However, despite the initial commitment to immediate action, it is disheartening to note that the shelter has not yet opened its doors, even after the "immediate" decision. The delay in opening the shelter underscores the urgent need for expedited implementation and underscores the ongoing struggle faced by the Arab LGBT community in accessing necessary support and protection.

References

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