European Jews outraged over Brigitte Bardot's criticism of Jewish ritual slaughter
French actress published an open letter in several leading French newspapers calling for a ban on shechitah.
By JTABrigitte Bardot(photo credit: FONDATION BRIGITTE BARDOT)
Brigitte Bardot published an open letter in several leading French newspapers calling for a ban on shechitah, or Jewish ritual slaughter.The one-time French actress terms the practice “ritual sacrifice” in the letter that appeared Monday in newspapers such as Le Parisien, Le Figaro and Le Monde. The letter also calls for a ban on halal Muslim ritual slaughter as well as on horse meat.Jewish and Muslim religious laws require that animals be conscious when their necks are cut — a practice deemed cruel by some animal welfare activists.The letter drew condemnation from the European Jewish Congress.“Ms. Bardot’s depiction of shechitah as ‘ritual sacrifice’ is not only deeply offensive and a slur against the Jewish People, but also shows a stunning lack of knowledge in an area where she purports to be an expert,” EJC President Moshe Kantor said in a statement. “Bardot has once again shown her clear insensitivity for minority groups with the substance and style of her letter.”In January 2011, Bardot launched a campaign against ritual slaughter through her animal rights foundation.
