Matisyahu Urges Israeli Government to Ban Fur
Jewish Reggae Star Joins PETA in Urging Knesset to Pass Groundbreaking
Legislation
Jewish reggae star Matisyahu has sent an urgent letter on PETA's behalf
to Israeli government leaders urging them to support a bill currently in
the Knesset that would ban the fur trade in Israel. If the bill passes,
Israel will be the first country to prohibit the production, sale, and
importation of all fur products (with the exception of shtreimels,
traditional fur hats worn by some Hasidim).
Writes Matisyahu, "I hope you will agree that the way that animals
suffer and die in the fur trade violates the fundamental principle of
tza'ar ba'alei chayim, which forbids gratuitous cruelty to animals."
Animals on fur farms spend their entire lives in cramped, filthy cages
before they are bludgeoned, beaten, or stomped to death. Many animals
are still alive and struggling as their skin is torn from their bodies.
Matisyahu joins Sir Paul McCartney, Brigitte Bardot, and several members
of the British Parliament in showing support for this groundbreaking
bill.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
Matisyahu's letter to members of the Knesset follows.
June 18, 2010
The Honorable MK Zevulun Orlev
CC: The Honorable MK Ronit Tirosh
The Knesset
Jerusalem
Israel
Via e-mail
Dear Mr. Orlev,
I'm writing on behalf of my friends at PETA to ask that you please
support a strong statement against cruelty to animals by voting for the
Knesset's bill to prohibit the fur industry in Israel. Please take a
moment to view this video, which shows undercover footage of animals as
they are beaten and even skinned alive for their fur. After watching the
footage, I hope you will agree that the way that animals suffer and die
in the fur trade violates the fundamental principle of tza'ar ba'alei
chayim, which forbids gratuitous cruelty to animals.
I look forward to hearing that you will do the right thing and support
this bill. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Matisyahu