Schechita Prohibition is Part of Switzerland’s Constitution, President Declares

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The attitude of the Swiss government towards the schechita question in Switzerland was declared by Henry Haeberlin, president of the Swiss Union, in an interview with the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here yesterday.

“Switzerland is often being criticized abroad in connection with the schechita question, The prohibition of the schechita, however, is a law in Switzerland, and part of the Union’s constitution, and must be fully enforced.

“During the War the Swiss government gave consideration to the prevailing conditions and suspended temporarily the prohibition of the schechita, as it is anxious to respect the religious feelings of the Israelites,” he declared.

“The educational role of Switzerland for Palestine and the neighboring Oriental countries, is assuming greater significance. Already Dr. William Rappard has expressed in his article in the “Journal de Geneve” the great satisfaction that many prominent Zionist leaders owe their spiritual and technical training to Switzerland, as for instance, Dr. Weizmann, Dr. Mossensohn, Samuel Chernechowsky and Dr. Jacob Klatzkin. Certain spiritual and cultural relations between Palestine and Switzerland must follow.

“During the War and now the Swiss government has readily granted permission for the holding of Zionist conferences in Switzerland. Cultural and economic relations between Palestine and Switzerland are very desirable,” he stated.