Israel allows civil defence squads to resume training: Following a report in Ma'ariv and against the background of growing tensions along the border with the Golan Heights, the IDF accepted the pleas of Golan residents and defence squads will now resume training to prepare for any scenario, including terrorist infiltration
The Dutch authorities are drafting a decree that would give the government veto power over the practice of ritual slaughter of animals.
Amsterdam Chief Rabbi Aryeh Ralbag commented “If veterinarians are put in charge of shechita [or ritual slaughter], then before long it would basically stop shechita in the Netherlands”.
The Dutch lower house passed a total ban on ritual slaughter last year, but it was scrapped by the Senate on the grounds of respect for religious diversity.
This latest threat to ancient Jewish practice comes after a German court ruled that infant male circumcision constituted physical abuse – although a compromise was eventually agreed.
