Israel's Rabbinate To Approve Only More Humane Beef
(IsraelNN.com) In the wake of protests started by The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals against a "lift and bind" slaughter method, the Israeli Chief Rabbinate has decided only to sanction meat imported to Israel if it is killed using the more humane "boxing" technique. The protested method hoists the cattle into the air by a leg, before they are slaughtered according to Jewish law. In "boxing," the cow is placed in a box which is flipped over, enabling the shochet (ritual slaughterer) to properly slice the cow's neck. Protestors are convinced "boxing" causes far less pain and fear to the animal.
The Chief Rabbinate also vowed to “consult with experts and find other, practical solutions that will ease the pain and suffering of animals undergoing shechita.” The decision was influenced by an appeal of the Orthodox Union (OU), the largest kosher certification organization in the United States. The HaKol Chai animal rights group commended the chief rabbinate's decision.