Hundreds Protest in Tel Aviv After Israeli Education Minister Praises Gay Conversion Therapy: 'I've

[Behind the Aegis]

Hundreds Protest in Tel Aviv After Israeli Education Minister Praises Gay Conversion Therapy: 'I've Done It'

Israel’s freshly appointed education minister publicly endorsed gay conversion therapy for minors but insisted his view was taken out of context.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Rafael Peretz, an Orthodox rabbi, in Israel’s caretaker government just three weeks ago.

However, after backlash, he posted a Facebook statement arguing that ‘cynical’ left-wing critics are trying to ‘earn political capital on the back of the LGBT community’ on Sunday (14 July).

What happened?

The leader of the ultranationalist right-wing political alliance the Jewish Home party, Peretz claimed he had performed the ‘therapy’ in the past.

He made the comments in a television interview on Channel 12’s evening news program on Saturday (13 July).

‘I think it is possible,’ he said. ‘I can tell you I have a very deep familiarity with this type of education and I have also done this.’

Moreover, he went onto describe how he counseled a student who came to him.

‘First, I hugged him and uttered very warm words. “Let’s learn, let’s contemplate.”‘

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Follow up to: Israeli education minister favors gay 'conversion therapy'

[RKP5637]

1. K&R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Odoreida]

2. The drawback of Israel's "proportional representation" system.

Most Israelis are pretty good on gay issues, but the religious fringe frequently holds the balance in coalition politics.

That's what's going on here.