Teachers and educators from LGBTQ organizations around Israel were outraged when the country’s Minister of Education expressed support for sexuality conversion therapies. On Saturday, Israel’s Minister of Education Rafi Peretz voiced his support for conversion practices.
This statement has sparked a wave of outrage, and even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that he would further investigate these claims by Minister Peretz.
In reaction to this controversial support, teachers and faculty members from schools around the country decided to write a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, demanding that Minister Peretz be removed from his governmental position.
Conversion therapy and equality
Conversion therapy is a very controversial practice, which can have a very negative effect on LGBTQ children and young adults. During conversion therapy, many LGBTQ children go through tremendous physical and psychological trauma, which can have devastating impacts on their future.
Conversion therapy has been widely discredited in Western countries, and the American Medical Association has evaluated this practice as potentially harmful.
Considering this, the recent statement by Minister Peretz is a severe slap for equality and the rights of LGBTQ people in Israel. Equality and acceptance programs are entering schools all over the world, which is why teachers in Israel are concerned and want the resignation of Mr. Peretz. According to their letter, the Minister’s statement can endanger the lives of LGBTQ students in Israel.
In an era when equality and acceptance play a significant role in the development goals of many modern countries’ educational systems, the Minister of Education’s statement can be detrimental not only to LGBTQ youth but to the overall image of the country’s political stance as well.
