The Israeli Knesset in late July approved a preliminary bill that would criminalize so-called conversion therapy practices. The measure targets psychologists who administer conversion therapy and would suspend their licenses for at least five years.
This move follows the U.N.’s formal call in early July to ban the practices as outlined by Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the independent U.N.
expert on LGBTQ issues. Nitzan Horowitz, head of the left-wing Meretz party, introduced the bill and the Knesset approved it by a 42-36 vote margin.
Horowitz said the measure would be a “historic change” for Israel, the BBC reported. Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, who chairs the centrist Blue and White party, welcomed the result. “Conversion therapy was