Premium Content:

Israel's Education Minister, Rafi Peretz, criticised over gay remarks

Israel’s Education Minister, Rafi Peretz, is facing criticism after he said none of his children could be same-sex attracted because they had been brought up in a “healthy and natural way”.

- Advertisement -

“Thank God my kids grew up in a healthy and natural way.” Peretz answered why he was asked how he would respond if one of his children were to declare they were same-sex attracted. 

“They’re building their families from Jewish values.” Peretz said in an interview, where he also voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Israel has some of the most progressive LGBTI policies in the Middle East. Homosexuality is legal, and members of the LGBTIQ community can serve in the military. The country does not perform same-sex marriages, but does recognise the marriages of people performed in other countries.

It’s not the first time the minister has made controversial comments. In 2019 during an interview he appeared to voice support for conversion therapy, only to withdraw his remarks just a few days latter.

OIP Staff


Latest

The Year in Review | September 2025

Some of the biggest news stories of 2025 occurred in September - see what went down.

Get into some of the best music of all time with ’27 Club’

Celebrate the artistry of Joplin, Winehouse, Cobain, Morrison and Hendrix.

On This Gay Day | Lili Ilse Elvenes was born in Denmark in 1882

Her life was the inspiration for the film 'The Danish Girl'.

Michelle Pearson’s ‘Skinny’ exposes the absurdity of diet culture

The award winning show is coming to Fringe World in 2026.

Newsletter

Don't miss

The Year in Review | September 2025

Some of the biggest news stories of 2025 occurred in September - see what went down.

Get into some of the best music of all time with ’27 Club’

Celebrate the artistry of Joplin, Winehouse, Cobain, Morrison and Hendrix.

On This Gay Day | Lili Ilse Elvenes was born in Denmark in 1882

Her life was the inspiration for the film 'The Danish Girl'.

Michelle Pearson’s ‘Skinny’ exposes the absurdity of diet culture

The award winning show is coming to Fringe World in 2026.

Shape shifting provocateur JXCKY on his ‘A Body for an Eye’ EP

The Melbourne based artist has a bold message about mental health in his latest music.

The Year in Review | September 2025

Some of the biggest news stories of 2025 occurred in September - see what went down.

Get into some of the best music of all time with ’27 Club’

Celebrate the artistry of Joplin, Winehouse, Cobain, Morrison and Hendrix.

On This Gay Day | Lili Ilse Elvenes was born in Denmark in 1882

Her life was the inspiration for the film 'The Danish Girl'.