Israel: Welfare Ministry calls for legislation to fight cults

The Israeli government must create comprehensive legislation to combat the phenomenon of cults in Israel and provide a clearer definition of what constitutes cult activity, a report published Monday by a special Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs task force has recommended.
Authored by the team of professionals that dealt with the fallout of Israel’s largest cult to date — that headed by Tel Aviv polygamist Goel Ratzon — the 48-page report focuses on four main areas: preventive action, therapeutic intervention, legislation and government involvement.