Earth Shattering Anti-Gay Comments

JERUSALEM, February 22, 2008— -- Earthquakes have prompted all kinds of myths and theories over the centuries.

Some said they were tied to hot and dry weather, others said that big earthquakes always hit in the morning.

Recently, an orthodox conservative Israeli member of parliament, Shlomo Benizri, revived a long-lost theory: homosexuality is to blame for earthquakes in Israel.

The Talmud "mentions a number of causes of earthquakes," Benizri told the Knesset, "one of which is homosexuality, which the Knesset legitimizes."

"I suggest that the Knesset [parliament] inquire into how it can prevent sodomy and thus save us a lot of earthquakes."

Benizri's statement prompted outrage in Israel, a country where homosexuality is becoming more accepted.

"Benizri's words were not taken out of context, nor were they a slip of the tongue," Shahar Ilan wrote in the liberal daily Haaretz. "It's hard not to reach the conclusion that he wanted to raise a storm and he got what he wanted."

Others were equally put off. "It is sad that in the 21st century, Israel has representatives with ideas belonging to the Middle Ages," Mike Hammel, chairman of the Israeli branch of Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender, told ABC News.

Hammel said he had sent an official complaint to the Knesset's speaker.

But Hammel said there is no legal action he can take against Benizri, because he is protected by parliamentary immunity.

It is now be up to the Knesset itself, Hammel said, to "make sure that no group in the Israeli society is being treated with such disrespect and shame"

On Friday, Feb. 15, an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude on the Richter scale struck Israel. The country is located along the Great Rift Valley, a geological feature that runs from Syria to Mozambique.

Israel is at the meeting place of several tectonic plates, which form the earth's crust.

The country has held a series of meetings recently to discuss how it can prepare in the event of a major earthquake.