"The decision by the New Zealand government, one which has a Jewish prime minister, is outrageous."

This is what Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, acting president of the Organization of Rabbis of Australasia, reportedly commented regarding the ban on shechita which is the result of New Zealand's new animal welfare code requiring stunning of the animal before slaughter.

Prime Minister John Key, reports the JTA, is the son of a Jewish mother but he frequently attends church.

Critics of the Israeli government's attitude towards some religious issues have cynically suggested that the observant community in Israel has problems with its own Jewish prime minister. It must be stated in his defense that at least he does not attend church and has no intention of banning shechita. Perhaps such merits will help secure Israel forever.

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