An Austrian politician is facing backlash after proposing to distribute kosher meat only to Jews who have registered and received purchasing permits.
The plan was proposed by the cabinet minister in the state government of Lower Austria, Gottfried Waldhäusl, who manages animal welfare. He argued that the plan was essential “from an animal welfare point of view,” according to the Wiener Zeitung.
But many have said they oppose the idea, including the American Jewish Committee, who questioned if the yellow badges used to mark Jews in Nazi Germany were next.
“Soon with a star on the chest?” a spokesperson for the American Jewish Committee’s Berlin office tweeted.
[Opinion: Austrian state mimics Nazi Germany’s attacks on Kosher meat]
Bald mit Stern auf der Brust? Die #FPÖ schlägt vor, dass sich Juden in Niederösterreich namentlich registrieren u. ihre Religiösität nachweisen sollen, um koscheres Fleisch zu kaufen — Das ist ein Angriff auf jüdisches + muslimisches Leben! #Antisemitismus https://t.co/gP4dNgDfUd
— AJC Berlin (@AJCBerlin) July 17, 2018
Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community in Vienna, pointed out implementing the plan would prompt lists of Jewish residents, “like a negative Aryann clause,” he said, according to Haaretz.
Martin Weiss, the Austrian ambassador to Israel, also said the plan elicited “great concerns.”
“This story has given rise to great concerns in Austria’s Jewish and Muslim community,” Weiss tweeted. “Leading politicians from Lower Austria have thus gone on record & made it clear that they will find a solution together with these communities – and allay all fears!”
This story has given rise to great concerns in Austria’s Jewish and Muslim community. Leading politicians from Lower Austria have thus gone on record & made it clear that they will find a solution together with these communities – and allay all fears!https://t.co/ptY45tAKn3
— Martin Weiss (@martinoweiss) July 18, 2018
Under kosher production rules, animals must be conscious immediately prior to their death. The practice is intended to expedite the process to ensure minimal pain is inflicted on the animal.
Waldhäusl is a member of the populist Freedom Party, which was established by a Nazi SS soldier following World War II.
