Israel to expel German partner of slain youth

Israel set to expel the partner of slain Nir Katz who was killed along with 17-year-old from Holon in attack on gay community center in 2009.

Nir Katz (photo credit: Courtesy of the katz familly)
Nir Katz
(photo credit: Courtesy of the katz familly)
JERUSALEM— Israel said it is expelling the German partner of a man killed in a shooting at a gay community center in Tel Aviv.
Thomas Schmidt, 27, was in the process of registering himself as the partner of an Israeli citizen when his partner, Nir Katz, was killed.
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A masked gunman opened fire in 2009 at a meeting of gay and lesbian youth, killing two: a 17-year-old girl from Holon and 24-year-old Nir Katz, then Thomas Schmidt's partner. Police are still searching for the assailant.
A spokeswoman for Israel's Interior Ministry said Wednesday a special humanitarian committee decided last year to allow Schmidt to extend his stay in Israel because of the unique circumstances, but that he would have to leave this month.
Gay community leaders and an Israeli lawmaker are calling on the interior minister to allow Schmidt to stay in the country.