Belgian Animal Rights Group Accused of Exploiting Holocaust In Campaign Against Ritual Slaughter

In Belgium, Jewish and Muslim groups are strongly criticizing a radio ad calling for an end to Halal and kosher slaughter of animals (which is performed without first stunning the animal).  The ad was produced by the Antwerp-based animal welfare group GAIA.  According to yesterday's Times of Israel, the ad, which was sent by e-mail to 200 politicians, is seen by critics as using Holocaust themes to further the group's animal rights cause.  The ad delivers testimony of capture and transportation from a lamb waiting for slaughter. A Jewish spokesman called the ad "a new example of the trivialization of the crime of genocide..." However GAIA said: "This is an attempt to describe what animals experience now without any religious or historic connotations."