Israelis are known for not cancelling personal celebrations during times of war and terror.

During Operation Protective Edge, the army managed to pull out two combat soldiers from the war for a few hours to attend their sister’s wedding. More recently this past November, Sarah Litman did not postpone her wedding after losing her father and brother in a terrorist attack. Instead, she not only chose to get married but decided it would be an uplifting occasion, a symbol of courage and love in the face of evil, for the entire Jewish people. Shortly following the funerals, the bride-to-be publicized her wedding and invited the whole country. Thousands of people gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate this joyous event and helped the bride to not give in to suffering.

Two combat Nahal soldiers released from war for a few hours to attend sister's wedding. Source: idfblog.com
Two combat Nahal soldiers released from war for a few hours to attend their sister’s wedding. Source: idfblog.com

Israelis mourn with Orlando and the LGBTQ community and fully empathize with the horrors of terror attacks, having been the victims themselves far too many times.

Condolence letter from Prime Minister Netanyahu to the American people following the terror attack. Source: Israel in the USA Facebook page.
Condolence letter from Prime Minister Netanyahu to the American people following the terror attack. Source: Israel in the USA Facebook page.

Following the horrific attack in Orlando, Israeli actor Assi Azar beautifully reminded us that love survives and conquers in times of strife and struggle.

Just a few hours after the terrorist attack at the LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, Israeli actor Assi Azar married his partner. He proclaimed on his facebook page right after he got married that the enemies and the haters are futile—“THE ONLY THING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY BELIEVES IS LOVE, and LOVE will win [in] the end.”

Radical Islam and homophobia spurn evil individuals to murder innocent people but at the end of the day, the murderers leave no legacy. Along with the rest of the LGBTQ community, Assi Azar continues to live free and proud of who he is.

"Don't kill" sign and candles at Orlando terror attack vigil held in Zion Square, Jerusalem.
“Don’t kill” sign and candles at Orlando terror attack vigil held in Zion Square, Jerusalem.

If there is anything to learn from the aftereffects of this terror attacks, it is that in our families, communities, and personal lives, people care and people are choosing love over evil. Between all the vigils, the growing awareness, and the outpouring of love, the LGBTQ community is being loved and comforted beautifully.

Assi Azar marries his soulmate. Source: Assi Azar's Facebook page.
Assi Azar marries his soulmate. Source: Assi Azar’s Facebook page.

For Assi Azar, the statement he released reflects the newfound freedom he has garnered since coming out.  Before he could ever dream of openly marrying his soulmate, he had to face his parents. Now a publicly gay man, Assi understands the importance of not hiding any part of who he is. In 2010, he produced a documentary, Mom and Dad: I Have Something to Tell You, in order to tell his story and present the challenging journey that got him to where he is today.

This past year, Assi Azar went on a CAMERA-supported college tour to inspire the LGBTQ community and raise awareness among students. He spoke about gay life in Israel, which, while not perfect, Assi Azar claims it is “more progressive than the US in many ways in terms of LGBT rights.” During his obligatory army service, for example, he served openly gay.

Assi Azar spoke at a number of schools with CAMERA-supported campus groups, including Cornell University, Augsburg College, Harvard UniversityClark UniversityUC Santa Barbara, and others.

While there is always more room for improvement, as evidenced by the Orlando attacks and obstacles facing the LGBTQ community today, love is certainly winning. The following quote that Sarah Litman chose to write on her public wedding invitation epitomizes this unconditional love and strength: “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, for I have fallen but I have gotten up” (Michah 7:8). In the face of terror, we will rise and continue to love.

arrow-rightArtboard 2arrowArtboard 1awardArtboard 3bookletArtboard 2brushArtboard 2buildingArtboard 2business-personArtboard 2calendarArtboard 2caret-downcheckArtboard 10checkArtboard 10clockArtboard 2closeArtboard 2crownArtboard 2documentArtboard 2down-arrowArtboard 2facebookArtboard 1gearArtboard 2heartArtboard 2homeArtboard 2instagramArtboard 1keyArtboard 2locationArtboard 2paperclipArtboard 1pencilArtboard 2personArtboard 1pictureArtboard 2pie-chartArtboard 2planeArtboard 2presentationArtboard 2searchArtboard 2speech-bubbleArtboard 1starArtboard 2street-signArtboard 2toolsArtboard 2trophyArtboard 1twitterArtboard 1youtubeArtboard 1