An uproar over remarks by Israel’s health minister about gays and lesbians overshadowed a special Knesset session to mark World AIDS Day. Shlomo Benizri, of the fervently Orthodox Shas Party, drew an angry reaction for saying he would set up “closed wards” for gays and lesbians to treat “this genetic and mental defect.” Knesset member Yehudit Naot of the secular Shinui Party responded that “ignorance” is not a value.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.