Six Israeli municipalities will not allow kaparot with live chickens — Jerusalem Post
Six municipalities in Israel have said they will not allow the use of live chickens in the traditional kaparot ritual ahead of Yom Kippur. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post after the animal rights organization Let the Animals Live appealed to dozens of local authority leaders.
This year, Tel Mond, Yeruham, Mevaseret Zion and Yavne joined the initiative. Kiryat Bialik and Rishon LeZion, which responded to the organization’s appeal last year, renewed their commitments.
Cities where the practice has already been banned
According to Let the Animals Live, the use of live chickens for kaparot has been banned for several years within Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Be'er Sheva, Ashkelon, Ramla and Petah Tikva.
The campaign is being conducted for the second consecutive year. The organization notes that veterinary service procedures concerning kaparot give local authorities the right to ban ceremonies involving live chickens in their territory. At the same time, organizers must obtain permission from the municipal veterinary department regardless of whether slaughter takes place at the ritual site.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
A call to choose donations
Animal rights advocates oppose the use of chickens in kaparot, arguing that the birds may experience stress as early as during transportation. According to them, chickens are kept in cramped cages, sometimes without food and water, while noise, movement and the crowding of animals worsen their condition. During the ceremony, birds are lifted into the air, which, the organization believes, may cause intense fear, injuries and fractures.
Most chickens are sent for slaughter after the ritual, while in some cases they are slaughtered directly at the site, Let the Animals Live says. The organization emphasizes that kaparot can be performed without harming animals, including by donating money to charity.
Let the Animals Live CEO Yael Arkin called on leaders of other local authorities not to issue permits for kaparot involving chickens and not to allow public spaces to be used to harm animals.
