Banned U.S. ‘Therapists’ Welcomed to Israel to Convert Gay Men Into Heterosexuals
5th February 2016
Therapists linked to a leading American Jewish group that tries to convert gays into heterosexuals say they have found a haven for their work in Israel, after it was forced to close in the US.
Israel’s health ministry advises against so-called “gay conversion” or “reparative” therapy, calling it scientifically dubious and potentially dangerous, but no law limits it. An organisation called Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (Jonah) was shut in December for violating New Jersey consumer fraud laws by claiming therapy could “heal” homosexuality. But gays in Israel who contacted Jonah say they were referred to some of the 20 to 30 licenced psychologists and social workers, and 50 non-licensed therapists, who practice some form of conversion therapy in Israel.