A prominent rabbi says the outbreak of deadly bird flu in Israel is God's punishment for efforts to legalize gay marriages.
Rabbi David Basri, according to Reuters, is a well-known teacher of Kabbalah or Jewish mysticism.
He says in a religious edict: "The Bible says that God punishes depravity first through plagues against animals and then in people."
The rabbi's son says he blames the outbreak on far-left political parties that are "strengthening and encouraging" homosexuality. One of the parties has been running ads that show two brides kissing.
Basri's son says to Reuters that the rabbi hopes the deaths of thousands of poultry will atone for the sins of the left-wing parties.
