The European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday that authorities can order the culling of animals before they are killed in a move that Israel and religious groups think will attack their traditions.
The court upheld a ruling imposed in the Flemish region of Belgium banning the slaughter of livestock that had not been dismantled for animal rights reasons.
The move was seen as effectively banning Jewish and halal Muslim kosher traditions, which stocks need to be aware of when their throats slit.
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“The court concludes that the measures contained in the command allow a fair balance to be struck between the importance of animal welfare and the freedom of Jewish and Muslim believers to express their faith,” “the ruling said.
Israel’s foreign ministry echoed the decision as “sending a harsh message to all European Jews.”
“Apart from the fact that this decision undermines freedom of worship and religion in Europe, the EU’s core value, it also signals to Jewish communities that the Jewish way of life is not wanted in Europe. Europe, “the ministry said in a statement.
“It is important that a way be found to reverse the decision and allow EU Jewish citizens to maintain Jewish practices,” the ministry said.
An umbrella group for Jewish groups in Belgium described the decision as a “denial of democracy” that did not respect the rights of minority groups.
“The fighting continues, and we will not accept the case until we have abolished all legal remedies, which have not yet been done,” said Yohan Benizri, head of the Belgian Federation of Jewish Organizations.
The head of the European Jewish Congress said the ruling “significantly weakens” the right to practice Jewish religious practices.
“This rule is a major blow to Jewish life in Europe and it certainly shows that our practices are no longer welcome. Telling people that their methods are not welcome is just a short step from saying that we are no longer welcome, ”said Moshe Kantor in a statement.
He said the EJC would fight against the court’s decision.
“Europe’s Jewish communities will not rest until our fundamental rights are upheld and protected under the full weight of European law,” Kantor said.
The ruling was also rejected by the Belgian Federation of Jewish Organizations and the European Jewish Association.
“This is a difficult day for European Jews. For decades now, as animal rights have entered, Kosher slaughter has been under constant attack, and subject to attempts to ban it, ”EJA chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin said in a statement.
Margolin rejected “the whole false concept” that kosher killing is harder for animals.
“Today’s governance places animal welfare above the fundamental right of religious freedom. It’s simply a man’s favorite beast, ”he said. “What a terrible message you sent to a European Jew, that you and your customs are not welcome here. This denies our rights as European citizens. “
The European Rabbis Conference said the ruling “flies against” recent statements by European authorities about the protection of Jewish life.
“The ban has already had a devastating effect on the Belgian Jewish community, causing a shortage of supply during the pandemic, and we are all acutely aware of the precedent set by this challenge. rights to exercise our faith, “he said in a statement.
The group also noted that a ritual kill was pushed by the far right.
“We now have a situation where a ban has not been imposed, without any consultation with the local Jewish community, and the impact on the Jewish community will be long lasting,” he said. Europe needs to think about what kind of continent it wants to be in. If values such as religious freedom and true diversity are essential, the current legal system does not reflect that and must review immediately. “
Butcher’s shop selling halal meat in Paris, France, 9 March 2012. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
The Muslim community in Belgium also rejected the decision.
The Belgian Coordinating Committee of the Islamic Institutions said the decision had been a “huge disappointment” and argued that the court was moving towards populist sentiments.
“The Court of Justice seems to have absorbed the growing political and social pressure from public movements struggling with symbolic struggles against vulnerable minorities across Europe,” the group said in a statement.
But the ruling has been welcomed by the authorities and animal rights activists who have called for the ban, arguing that animals are insane so that they become unconscious when killed more humanly.
“Today is a big day for hundreds of thousands of animals who, as a result of this decision, will be devastated by the hellish pain of murder not surprising for religious reasons,” he said. Michel Vandenbosch, head of animal rights group GAIA. “For me, after more than 25 years of relentless struggle … this is one of the happiest days of my life.”
The Flanders Belgian regional government issued an order in 2017, which came into effect in 2019, that abattoirs must maintain stock before disposing of them.
It was argued that this would “reduce the suffering,” and animal rights activists had pushed for the ban.
