The European Union’s raison d’etre is to promote tolerance and protection to minorities. The European Union of Progressive Judaism recently opened an office in Brussels because it believed that the Union was taking strong action to fight anti-Semitism and promote Jewish life in Europe. Unfortunately, the European Court of Justice has upheld a ban on kosher and hallal slaughter in Belgium. This ruling represents a dangerous denial of religious freedom. It contradicts the European Union’s commitment to protecting fundamental human rights. We will continue to work with others to press the European Union to live up to its commitments.

 

Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel
Chair, European Rabbinic Assembly (ERA)
William Echikson
Director, Brussels Office, European Union of Progressive Judaism (EUPJ)
Sonja Guentner
Chair, European Union of Progressive Judaism (EUPJ)

 

Rabbi Sergio Bergman
President, World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ)
Carole Sterling
Chair, World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ)