Israel’s Minister of Education created a firestorm when he advocated for conversion therapy for gay teenagers. Rafael Peretz, who is also an orthodox rabbi, made the comments in response to a question during an interview with Channel 12’s evening news on Saturday.
The interviewer asked if he believed a gay person’s sexual orientation could be changed and he responded, “I think it is possible. I can tell you I have a very deep familiarity with this type of education and I have done this.” He then told the story of a student he counseled with, saying, “First I hugged him and uttered very warm words – let’s think, let’s learn, let’s contemplate,” the New York Times reports.
Reaction to Peretz’s comments was swift. According to the Jerusalem Post, MK Yair Lapid, a leader in the Blue and White party, said, “I do not know how to explain an education minister who talks about conversion therapy, who opposes joint IDF service for men and women or who honestly says he has no problem with apartheid. For the first time since I can remember, the State of Israel has a government that I am ashamed of.”
Lapid also called for Peretz to be removed from office. He said, “Until Rafi Peretz undergoes conversion therapy for his regressive and wild opinions, he cannot continue to serve as education minister.”
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