In an interview, Yitzhak Pindrus, a prominent member of Israel’s United Torah Judaism party within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, sparked intense debate by asserting that the LGBTQ community presents a greater peril to Israel’s stability than extremist Islamic groups. Pindrus, known for his controversial statements in the past, emphasized his duty to counteract Pride marches and the broader LGBTQ rights movement.
Pindrus expressed, “In my worldview, the most dangerous thing to the State of Israel… is the permissiveness regarding arayot, because that’s what the Torah says.” This term refers to Biblically forbidden sexual relationships and practices. He notably contrasted this concern with traditional national security threats, stating, “Not the economy. This is the most dangerous thing for the State of Israel.” The lawmaker cited Torah verses predicting dire consequences for sexual permissiveness.
The controversial remarks extended to Pindrus’s criticism of protesters against the government’s judicial reforms. He labeled them “a bunch of nasty anarchists” and defended his right to exempt his child from mainstream core curriculum subjects, a topic of contention within the Haredi community. Pindrus’s views have elicited strong reactions from opposition politicians and LGBTQ advocates, with Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid condemning his stance.
The controversy surrounding Pindrus’s comments reflects the ongoing struggle between conservative religious perspectives and LGBTQ rights in Israeli society. Despite widespread condemnation, Pindrus remains steadfast, underscoring his past refusal to apologize for other contentious statements. As the nation grapples with these ideological tensions, the clash of values continues to drive discussions on diversity, equality, and cultural pluralism.