MK Yisrael Katz (Likud) asked Attorney General Eliakim
Rubinstein last week to close the pig pens in Kibbutz Lahav.
Those pig pens are operating in violation of the law. MK Katz
demanded that the Attorney General also examine the charges
that the business permits for those hogs were issued through
dishonest means.
Katz had disclosed on the Knesset podium a few weeks ago that
Kibbutz Lahav processes and markets pork for human
consumption. This is against the law. (The Agriculture
Minister, Chaim Oron of Meretz, belongs to this kibbutz.)
Katz claims that the raising of pigs at Lahav is done by
means of a fictitious body calling itself, "The Institute for
Animal Research: Pork." The meat is processed in the kibbutz
and marketed as edible matter throughout the country under
the name, "Maadanei Basar Hashoket."
Katz says that he has photographs and evidence which clearly
prove that the pork is marketed as a food product by members
of Lahav. He claims that such activity explicitly violates
the law on the books that prohibits raising pigs, which
states, "One may not raise pigs, keep them in his possession,
or sell them."
In addition, Katz claims in his complaint to the Attorney
General that it is it is quite possible that the permits to
operate the Institute for Animal Research were obtained
through fraudulent means.
Katz stressed: "This is a fundamental instance of gross
violation of the law. It is inconceivable that those who
preach to others to abide by the law at all times should
trample laws which were established more than forty years
ago, while their only goal is personal financial profit, at
the same time offending the sensitivities of the numerous
traditional citizens in the country."
