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Israel Rescinds Deportation of Slain Israeli’s Partner

Posted by: Lez Get Real on February 10, 2011.

Eli Yishai

Melanie Nathan- Feb 10-2011

The Interior Ministry has rescinded its decision to deport a German man whose partner was killed in a shooting attack on a Tel Aviv gay youth center last year.

Thomas Schmidt’s partner Nir Katz, 26, and Liz Trobishi, 16, died when a gunman opened fire on the Bar Noar on a busy summer night in July 2010.

Schmidt has resided in Israel for more than six years, but was informed by immigration authorities this week that his visa had expired and he would have to leave the country by February 20.

Following public outcry, the Interior Ministry has decided to extend Schmidt’s temporary residency status pending further debate on his case. .

Some 2,500 people joined a Facebook group in support of Schmidt within hours of it being created on Wednesday. MK Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz) also issued a personal appeal to Interior Minister Eli Yishai to rescind the deportation decision.