Minor Arrested in Jaffa Port Homophobic Assault Investigation
Jaffa police arrested a 16-year-old suspect following a violent homophobic assault on a young man near the Jaffa Port after a concert.
Jaffa police have arrested a 16-year-old minor on suspicion of involvement in a violent incident at the Jaffa Port. According to police statements, he is the primary suspect in the attack, in which a person was assaulted while walking through the area with a friend.
The Attack and Investigation
The suspect was taken in for questioning and subsequently detained. Police stated that investigators are examining the suspicion that the assault was motivated by homophobia. The victim, a fan of singer Lihi Toledo, posted about the harrowing experience on social media.
They beat me up purely because I am gay, the victim wrote in a widely shared post.
According to his account, he was attacked on Tuesday at the Jaffa Port after attending Toledo's performance at the Barby venue. While walking through the port area, a man began hurling homophobic slurs at him. When he responded, the assailant struck him with a helmet, and several other men reportedly joined in the assault.
Reaction and Support
Singer Lihi Toledo expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering her full support to the victim. Police are expected to request an extension of the suspect's detention in court.
