In an unambiguous victory, there are two new developments in the Israeli/Kosher meat industry.

I was at my butcher this evening, getting some really good steaks, and we discussed these exciting new advances.

Two items are (at least temporarily) are no longer available for the Kosher/Israeli market: “White” Veal and Foie Gras.

(I do admit that I enjoy them both, but I haven’t eaten them in years, ever since I found out how they are raised.)

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef declared that the current treatment/preparation of calves and geese goes under the halachic header of ‘mistreatment of animals’ and therefore he declared these products traif (not kosher).

(To be clear, I am not yet familiar with the exact halchic details he used to forbid them, it may be because they qualify as a sick animal about to die, which would also be forbidden to eat.)

Additionally, the Israeli government has finally forbidden the stuffing of geese for foie gras and all Israeli factories were shut down.

Well they didn’t really shut down. Operations were moved over to Jordan.

But it is a step in the right direction.