A bill brought before the Knesset at the end of July may, if passed, make Israel the first country in the world to ban the sale of fur, reports the Jerusalem Post.
The bill, drafted by MK Ronit Tirosh (Kadima) in conjunction with the Israel-based International Anti-Fur Coalition, received the support of eight Knesset members from across the political spectrum – Tirosh, Eitan Cabel (Labor), Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), Yoel Hasson (Kadima), Dov Henin (Hadash), Miri Regev (Likud), Nino Abesadze (Kadima) and Masud Ganaim (United Arab List).
An independent opinion poll conducted for the International Anti-Fur Coalition and Israeli animal rights group Let Animals Live found 86 percent of Israelis believe killing animals for their fur is morally wrong and 79 percent would support a nationwide ban.
However, previous efforts to ban fur sales in Israel received opposition from the fur industry, which doesn’t want anything cutting into its profits, or to see anyone pave the way towards an end to the fur trade, but also by the Orthodox Jewish community, whose cultural headdress, called a shtreimel, is made of fur.
This time around, the bill will allow for the sale of fur used in science or to express cultural identity.
The text of the bill explains that there is no longer any necessity for fur, as synthetic fabrics heat much more efficiently, and fur is now simply a fashion item and status symbol. A ban on the sale of fur within Israel would provide animals protection according to the Animal Welfare Law, and would be in accordance with the values of human compassion and Judaism, the bill text says.
“Fighting for people’s consciousness is a daily undertaking, and this legislation may yet save millions of animals. It’s time to do this at last and finally end the fur trade in Israel. Such legislation should gain immense respect for Israel and its citizens. Another important point to note is that unlike the first bill, proposed by MK Ronit Tirosh, the new bill doesn’t suggest a ban on fur imports, hence the bill is an entirely internal matter and any intervention by foreign furriers will be neither ethical nor justified,” said Jane Halevy, chairperson of the International Anti-Fur Coalition.
Source
Who cares what the fur industry wants?? Why do the predators even get a voice?? The whole point of this is that murder is wrong- of COURSE the murderers don't see it that way! So what, put them in JAIL and let them think about how filthy their crimes have been. May they rot there too.
Finally someone is taking the caregiver tasks that god gave to man.
Alife no matter what form it comes in is a live precious in our heavenly father's eyes.
It is time the fur industry be put out of business and the people that wear these furs should be charged with man slaughter. Within every creature on earth there is a living soul. We forget that when the lord created the earth he placed his most precious gifts on the earth before he created man. Man was given the responisiblity to care and protect all that he created.
Why is there an AD on this page for a company selling FUR??
Fur Tails, Fur Throws
Biggest variety same day shipping. Fox,Mink,Coyote,Lynx,Raccoon,Sable.
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fur belongs on whom it was born,
not by the vain and frivolous,
worn
KLK
With all the synthetic, man-made fibers available to keep us warm (when we need to be kept warm) why use fur? We don't need it and it deserves to stay on the animals. Kudos to Israel-- and shame on all those people who wear fur when they don't need to, but do for the status of the pelt.
Thank you very much! More information about this recent bill can be found on our website: www.antifurcoalition.org
Species-um is my new favorite word and murdering for vanity certainly falls in to that categories! We tend to live in denial as human beings, turn a blind eye to what we have and continue doing to our fellow earthlings. I get so disgusted with my fellow species that I feel embarrassed that I am a human! The way these poor babies are murdered makes me sick to my stomach!
A step by humanity towards true humanity. What use is religion when it is not at the forefront of compassion?
tashikarate@hotmail.com
Israel needs to sort its human rights record in Palestine before moving on to animal rights.
As for fur... I worked in a butchers for many a long year, skinning hundreds if not thousands of rabbits. The meat was sold, made into pies etc. All the pelts were thrown away because of years of prejudice against fur. Think of all the clothing that could have been made to help those around the world who don't have money for warm clothing. The fur trade wants regulating not ending. We should waste valuable resources like we do currently.
There are some blinkered people in this world.
I agree, there is a certain irony in all of this, but surely any small step taking in the right direction, should be applauded. After all, who knows where it may lead.
rhintintin - all the clothing that could have been made to help those around the world that are poor? Is that honestly what you believe the fur industry is about? Helping the poor and not profiting? Give me a break.
Anonymous - this article isn't talking about regulating or changing the fur industry, it is talking about the total banning of the sale of fur. Fur could be produced perfectly humanely to make high quality clothes, just like leather. But no-one wants to have that conversation. Everyone has been sucked in by terrorists chucking red paint at models not smart enough to know the difference between faux and fox. As a result perfectly good pelts are thrown in the bin. If we are killing an animal for meat, why waste the by-products.
This would be awesome!
Well done Israel for the ban on fur, let us hope other countries follow your civlised example. We do not live in caves anymore (although some people live in caves of the mind).
I have always loved Israel. The Jewish contribution to Western science, art, philosophy and so many other fields has been inestimable. These people are clearly leading the way yet again.
This would be great . Why oh why does religion and starving people and the stupid use of the word terrorist have to come into these discussions all the time? Compassion is not a rationable quality
With each passing day, the world finds new and exciting ways to kill a...
These are fantastic news, kudos to Israel! that is, if they live up to their bold statement. I certainly hope so.
rhintintin - wtf? since when was leather produced humanely? believe me i will "have this conversation". I read about it constantly, as do many animal advocates. The meat eating, fur/leather/wool wearing, circus and zoo attending people are the ones that don't "have that conversation" because they want to stay in the dark and keep feeling ok about the torment that goes on behind closed doors.
Did you read the article? this is not a "total ban" since it doesn't outlaw fur imports, fur for cultural reasons or for science.
You shut off the compassion switch long ago because if you didn't it would have made it hard to be "skinning hundreds if not thousands of rabbits". I don't think you can be objective in this matter.
Can someone tell what is the result? It is written that the discussion will be at the end of July.
FUR belongs on Animals, not humans!!!! :((((
rhintintin Israel is giving the logical reason that the fur items are non-essentials. What your talking about has nothing to do with the issue at hand.
I hope his has passed
I have seen how fur farms treat and kill animals for profit. Sometimes the animals are not even dead when they start skinning. Fur for profit is WRONG. Very very few people think about the suffering of the animals. Isreal - I am proud of you and I hope this has passed. Other countries should take note and be bold as well.
To healer. I hunt my own food no factory farming. I use pelts if i need them sorry but killing quickly is more humane the a slow death by other predetors. Not to mention this whole vegetarian thing is bogus, sorry but do you know how many hunters are hired to kill "pests "from organic produce farms? How about soy feild s and the land dystroyed to make it? You say others are kep in the dark well just so you know farms pay big bucks to kill everything from deer to hog to rabbit within miles of thier farms to ensure you get organic veggies on the table. The only way to never abuse and animal and live like we once did is to grow your own food, hunt your own meat, and basicaly provide for yourself. If you dont do that then everything you do is killinganimal and to anextent people in other countries. The ban on sale of fur is a great thing for thoes who dont need fur, the nomaic people who live in the less hospitible parts and rely on goats wool, pelt and meat would be the one hurting. With out pelts they get less money when they go into towns, which means less money on the tribe and family. Not to mention fur wouldnt be allowed to even warm yourself? Have you beenmto the desert at night. It gets extremely cold another reason these pelts are used.