The Knesset marked Animal Rights Day on Tuesday by holding various events and a special plenum session. The day began with a meeting of the Lobby for the Protection of Animals, headed by MK Eitan Cabel (Israel Labor Party) and MK Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid), with the participation of Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, representatives of the Interior Ministry and Agriculture Ministry, as well as animal right activists.
”In the early Jewish texts we see mentions of the need to care for animals and treat them with compassion,” Speaker Edelstein said. ”I welcome this important day and suggest, also from experience, that everyone find their way to adopt an animal and love animals. I also recommend that those who decide to buy this or that animal consider the option of adopting an abandoned animal from one of the organizations that deal with the issue.”
MK Cabel said that over the past few years Israel`s lawmakers, irrespective of their political affiliation or ethnicity, have promoted animal rights. He mentioned that the Knesset has passed laws regarding animal rights and praised the members of the animal rights groups for their work.
MK Lipman said the Knesset should continue to promote animal rights laws and ”become a world leader in this field.”
Following the speeches, citations were handed out to leading animal rights activists, and photos of animals were put on display at the Kedma Wing, courtesy of the Environmental Protection Ministry.
Later in the day, the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee, headed by MK Amram Mitzna (Hatenua) was scheduled to hold a meeting on ”education for compassion.”
As part of Animal Rights Day, vegetarian and vegan dishes were served in the Knesset members` cafeteria, and a special plenary session was set to be held on the topic.
Source: Knesset
