Israel – Forget about the Gaza flotilla, the issue of illegal settlements or the resumption of peace talks. What just may spark the next crisis between Israel and the world is none other than a progressive bill banning fur from being imported and traded in Israel.
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One might ask why would Israel – a country with an average of 90 degrees Fahrenheit- even need such a law. Who want to wear fur in the desert anyway and who would object to an anti fur law here? Well its seems this time, Denmark is in a tizzy for starters.
For many years, animal right organizations and Israeli parliamentary members have promoted a bill that would forbid or at least limit fur imports to Israel. The bill, now in the final process of legislation, forbids the import and trade of almost all wild animals, with the exception of animals that serve to make shtreimels [fur hats] for the ultra-Orthodox Jews. The exception was added in order to prevent the Orthodox parties from rejecting the law.
But now the Danish government, along with several other countries that engage in fur trading, are objecting. They’re not afraid of losing the very small and limited Israeli fur market but, they do fear that other states will follow Israel’s example and pass similar laws, which would harm their thriving fur industry.
“There is a huge pressure campaign on us,” a source associated with the issue told the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronoth “Ministers, ambassadors and members of parliament, mainly from Denmark but also from Canada, the US, Greece and Finland, are pressuring us and threatening that if we pass the bill it will work against us.”
In a steamy country not known for keeping its cool when under threat, many members of the Knesset are seeing their own temperatures rise. One source said its simply rude to contribute “to the abuse of animals because a few industrialists in Europe fear that we will be a light unto the nations on such an important issue.”
For a change, EY has the moral high ground on a very clear cut issue regarding animal cruelty. We have debated this issue many times here on VIN and the majority agree that ther is NO CHIYUV to use real fur for streimlach and there are many available synthetic opitions that would work just as well for those chassidim who want to wear the lvush of a 17th century polish nobleman. There should be no compromise on this issue. No more real fur.
What sheer chutzpah. How many European countries ban shechitah? Yet these same countries now want to support the fur trade (which is more cruel by far, and also endangers some rare species.) For shame.
If animal cruelty is the problem then let’s enforce the laws against it; what does it have to do with the use of fur? If it’s wrong to kill an animal for its fur, then maybe it’s wrong to kill an animal for its food. If the argument is that you can do without it and use synthetic options, then the same can be said about meat, that you can do without it and use synthetic options that taste just like it.
The Torah forbade Tzaar Baalei Chaim (cruelty to animals), yet permitted the slaughter of animals, without differentiating between eating it, or wearing it. I guess either both should be forbidden or both should be permitted. If “cruelty” is the issue, then let’s stop cruelty, and leave the decision to us to decide if we want to wear it or not.
What does “freedom” mean? Why would we allow the fanatics to impose their “feelings” on the rest of society? For hundreds of years people fought for the freedom of man/woman; now they are fighting for the freedom of animals (four legged and two legged) and for the oppression of the rest of mankind.
What does freedom mean? Why should we allow the fanatics to impose their “feelings” on the rest of society?
Well, well, well…isn’t the hat on the other head now.
2#1 maybe you’re wife should start wearing a syntetic mink coat too, second of all this is a holy old lvush , this was not created by the polish
But the way most of the fur animals are treated is real cruel. Besides in China they skin the animals alive. Come on! If they are scared let them revamp the way they care for animals.
Poster number 1, the resident Leftist, has left his ridiculous anti Torah statement here already.
Animals are here to serve man according to the Torah and providing beautiful Shabbos wear is the greatest sanctification of their lives. Lets continue this wonderful practice and not fall victim to the PETA based nonsense.
Switching over to synthetic fur for shtreimlech could also help those who can’t afford the real thing. Most professionals I know don’t own any fur, kind of ironic that guys who are unemployed or working in local groceries should need to have…
Imo an exception for streimels makes no sense. If they can’t ban fur entirely, then let the proposal be defeated. Having a law banning fur except for streimels sends the wrong message.
Funny, Wasn’t Denmark and all those hypocritical European countries upset with Canada’s seal industry. Now that their ox is being gored, they don’t want Israel to forbid THEIR fur industry. typical European hypocrisy.. ja, bauer, das ist etwas anders.
When you have a freind like Canada asking you to back off, vish up dem nooz in gei vater. Its a small favor .
I am not so sure that a shtreimel can yet be produced from synthetic material.
A law like this will encourage animal rights extremists throughout the world.
Animal rights mixes with anti-semitism in Europe and results in anti-schechita laws.
It is important that humans dominate animals in every respect, even in, and especially in, the taking of their lives. To do otherwise, would be to surrender our apex position in God’s world. Their suffering is their fit and just punishment.. Since when do we equate animal suffering with human suffering ?
Banning fur is about stopping cruelty. The cruelty humans subject animals to is demeaning to us all as a species. It is against all decency and against nature to put an animal through a life of suffering and deprivation. And what for? For a man or woman’s vanity. I’m surprised by the ignorant statements here for justifying human brutality and barbarism by people who still believe in Bronze Age myths. … No, wait, come to think of it, I’m not surprised. It’s typical.