Knesset torpedoes 2 bills to ban conversion therapy for minors

The Knesset torpedoes two opposition bills seeking to ban conversion therapy for minors.

According to the bills, engaging a minor in conversion therapy would carry criminal and civil penalties.

Labor party leader Merav Michaeli, who introduced one of the two related bills, says that the bill is part of a larger struggle to protect the LGBTQ community’s civil rights and safety.

“We are no longer talking about harming feelings, we are talking about harming rights, souls, bodies,” the lawmaker says.

She says, we are talking about “a man who, because of the coalition’s insulting and inciting words, set fire to a pride flag and almost injured an entire family. We are talking about the murder of a young woman at the pride parade. We are talking about physical threats against the LGBTQ+ community that have increased since you and this ugly coalition have been in power.”