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Polish Rabbis Call World-wide Past in Protest Against Proposed Shechitah Ban

February 11, 1936
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A world-wide fast day among Jews was called for Thursday by a special meeting today of the Rabbis Union General Council in protest against a bill introduced in Parliament for banning Jewish ritual slaughter of animals.

Jewish organizations met to map joint action in face of the threatened prohibition. Dozens of telegraphic and telephonic inquiries were received by Jewish institutions here about the proposed ban.

The bill, introduced Friday by Deputy Janina Prystor, wife of the president of the Senate, will come up for a vote in about three weeks. It is said to have the support of a bloc of 100 deputies.

The proposed law would compel the stunning of animals before slaughter, which violates the Jewish orthodox code. It would impose jail sentences not exceeding three months and 3,000-zloty maximum fines for violation and would go into effect on January 1, 1937.

Since the introduction of the bill, delegations from Jewish organizations have been visiting cabinet officials to protest that the proposal contravenes Article 111 of the Polish constitution, which provides for free exercise of religion and ritual practices.

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