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Israeli doctors prohibit gay ‘conversion therapy’

Israel is known to be the only Middle Eastern country where LGBTQ people are considered equal under the law.

Tel Aviv's LGBT pride parade on June 7, 2013. Credit: U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv’s LGBT pride parade on June 7, 2013. Credit: U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv.

Israeli doctors have instituted a ban on controversial conversion therapy for those who are gay to help make them straight through methods such as electric shocks and hypnosis.

The Israel Medical Association, which represents 90 percent of the nation’s doctors, said that members who administer the treatment could be kicked out.

“The treatments to change one’s sexual orientation have been found to be ineffective and could cause mental damage, such as anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies,” the IMA said in a position paper on the practice.

Israel is known to be the only Middle Eastern country where LGBTQ people are considered equal under the law.

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