Hope? Polish parliament to court: Shchita is allowed

Kosher Shchita is permitted according to Polish law – as ruled by the Polish parliament in a ruling of the Supreme Court. With that, the Polish Siam ruled that kosher shchita is allowed only for the community's purposes, and not for business purposes.

This view was handed to the constitution court following a claim given by the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Harav Michael Shudrich and the Jewish community against the decision of the Siem which refused, about two years ago, to make lawful the regulations signed by the Polish minister of agriculture according to which shchita is permitted without stunning, which according to them is opposed to the Polish constitution.

The conference of European Rabbis welcomes this opinion, "This is another positive step to the final decision of the Constitutive Court".

Chief Rabbi of Poland, Harav Michael Shudrich, said that according to procedures, prior to the decision of the constitutive court, the opinion of the general prosecutor and the complaints commissioner is necessary. "WE are expressing careful optimism and hope that the decision will be positive and kosher slaughtering will be allowed in Poland." Harav Shudrich further said that the needs of the Jewish community towards the upcoming Pesach are guaranteed, and no lack in food products and kosher meat is expected.

As mentioned, after the decision of the parliament about two years ago, Rabbi Shudrich and the Jewish community submitted a petition to the supreme court of constitution, so that it would give its opinion regarding kosher slaughtering. The decision was given after a meeting they held with Michael Boni, Administration and Digital Information Minister who was in charge of religions appointed by the Prime Minister to find a constitutional solution for the continuation of kosher slaughter in Poland.

Today Mr. Raphael Zorzevitzky hold Minister Boni's position, and declared in a meeting with Harav Shudrich his commitment to the policy of his former to find a solution.

Harav Shudrich: "The constitutional question which was raised is when on the one hand there is a law for protection of Jewish rights which was ruled in 1997 as a result of an agreement between the Jewish community and the Polish government, and on the other hand the law which forbids the slaughter of animals before they are stunned. Our position is that kosher slaughtering is not forbidden according to Polish law, since the law of Jewish rights is valid and no other law is above it. But in the circumstances which arose, as a result of the parliament's vote against making the kosher slaughter lawful, caused us to submit the petition to the Constitutional Supreme Court.

We expressed our standing in the most adamant way, and presented the most proofs from the Polish Constitution which support our standing. This is indeed a hard period, we must and will stand for our rights, but on the other hand we must maintain our good relationship with the Polish government."

Rabbi Shudrich with the new Administration Minister appointed on religions

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!