Israel to be first country to ban trade in fur

ISRAEL may become the first country to ban the trade in fur, following an announcement by the country’s environmental protection minister.

Calling the buying and selling of animal pelts for the fashion industry “immoral”, Gila Gamliel said Israel would outlaw the practice.

“The fur industry causes the killing of hundreds of millions of animals around the world,” the minister from Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party announced.

“There is no need or justification for the use of furs in the fashion industry.”

Exemptions would be available for “scientific research, education, for instruction and religious purposes and tradition”. Male members of Israel’s orthodox Jewish community typically wear fur hats called shtreimels on the sabbath and holidays. The announcement was welcomed by animal rights activists.

“Exciting news from Israel,” said the UK branch of Humane Society International, which is campaigning to ban fur sales in the United Kingdom.

Animals Now, an Israeli advocacy group, said: “The minister’s important decision will save countless animals.”

Some cities worldwide have already banned fur sales. California became the first US state to do so in October 2019.