BREAKING – Advocate General of CJEU issues opinion in Lawfare Project lawsuit: Belgian ban on kosher slaughter violates EU law

Dear friends,

As you know, The Lawfare Project has been fighting a disgraceful effort in Belgium to ban shehita, a method of Kosher slaughter. The Lawfare Project has supported a lawsuit on behalf of the Belgian Jewish community, which targets restrictions on kosher slaughter and argues that they flagrantly conflict with religious freedom, a core tenet of any democracy.

Today, the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) handed down his opinion on the matter. I am pleased to inform you that AG Gerard Hogan recognizes that banning the practice of shehitais an attack on the rights of Belgian citizens to practice their religions freely, and is incompatible with EU law.

The AG's opinion is important and encouraging, though it is not binding on the CJEU, which is expected to issue its decision in the coming weeks. The Court's decision will apply to other EU governing bodies that may similarly attempt to infringe on the rights of Jewish communities. It is our hope that the Court will rule justly and make clear that no jurisdiction within Europe may ban kosher slaughter.

As the case moves forward, we will continue to work with our local partner, Yohan Benizri, President of the Belgian Federation of Jewish Organizations (CCOJB) and a Vice President of both the European Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress, to uphold the religious freedom of all Jewish people worldwide.

As always, we thank you for your ongoing support. Without your help, we could not continue our work protecting the fundamental liberties of the Jewish people.

Sincerely,
Brooke Goldstein
Executive Director, The Lawfare Project