Israeli Gay Teens Say Police Harassed Them
Gay.com
U.K., September 9, 2002
SUMMARY: Police in Israel arrested two gay teen-agers
for kissing in public, according to Israeli site GoGay.co.il.
Police in Israel arrested two gay teen-agers for kissing
in public, according to Israeli site GoGay.co.il.
The site reports that Shay Affik,18, was out on Sept. 1
in the streets of Jerusalem with his boyfriend, a 17-year-old. As they passed
the old city walls, they kissed.
The couple claims they were suddenly noticed by an
Orthodox Jew and police, who arrested them. They claimed they were slapped and
kicked by the police. The teen-agers were held in separate rooms in the police
station for three hours and were not allowed to call friends or family. They
allege they were mocked by policemen who were in the station, calling them
“faggots,” “queers” and “mentally ill.”
They were released and told to return to the station with
their parents, even though one of the teen-ager’s had not told his parents
he was gay.
They returned with their parents, and no charges were
made. Both teens said they have been left traumatized by the event.
Police said an internal investigation is being held into
allegations about the behavior of the officers involved in the case.
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