Declawing cats has been outlawed in Israel.
Late last month, Israel’s legislature passed a bill that outlaws the practice of declawing cats, a move that is a win for animal activists, but devastating to fancy couches and rugs across the country. And the letter of law comes with a hefty pricetag — a $20,000 fine and up to one year in jail.
While declawing has become a common practice in the U.S. — it’s estimated that about 25% of American cats are declawed — the procedure itself is actually quite gruesome, which is why Israel joins countries such as Europe, Australia and Brazil in enacting a ban against it.
Here are some of the reactions to this news:
Amnesty International: We condemn this curtailing of the rights of people with fancy couches and rugs
Palestinian Authority: Israel’s attitude towards cat declawing is an obstacle to peace.
Hamas TV: Hmm, a declawed cat. Sounds like a good idea for our new character.
Dickie Silverstein: My Israeli source tells me the Mossad is behind this bill to have cats declawed
Matisyahu: Screw this! I’m shaving off my beard
