Political animals? - Sheep
צילום: דפנה טלמון
Anti-pullout 'sheep protest' delayed
Settlers planned "largest ever sheep rally in Jerusalem"; judges impose strict limits on demonstration after animal rights group petitioned court
JERUSALEM - Sheep have rights, too: A Yesha Council plan to bring sheep to Jerusalem in the framework of an anti-pullout rally was postponed to Sunday, after judges conditioned the rally on measures that would ensure the sheep's welfare.
The court decision followed a petition by local animal rights groups Let the Animals Live.
The judges said only 50 sheep are allowed to take part in the protest, and must not be there for longer than an hour. Moreover, the court said the sheep must be transferred to the protest's venue in padded trucks.
In addition, the sheep will be kept in a fenced-in area and have constant access to water. The judges also ruled only 30 protestors would be able to join the animals.
The Yesha Council, which initially planned a much larger protest, said the court was convinced the sheep would be used in a way that does not undermine their rights and welfare.
The protest was pushed back to Sunday because of the wait for the court ruling and the extensive preparations required to stage the event, the Council said.
'Settlers should dress up as sheep'
The sheep affair began yesterday, after the Yesha Council announced it intends to hold the "largest sheep protest ever seen in Jerusalem."
Pullout objectors are apparently interested in the sheep's participation as a symbolic gesture that would indicate they do not intend to be "Sharon's sheep," a derogatory term often directed by settlers at ministers who do nothing to stop the prime minister's evacuation plans.
The Let the Animals Live movement, however, was alarmed that the sheep would be treated brutally during the event, and promptly petitioned the court.
Judges issued a temporary injunction against the protest, before deciding to let it go ahead, in line with the above-mentioned conditions.
The animal rights group, meanwhile, said it is satisfied with the restrictions imposed by the court.
"The court decided to drastically limit the protest permit," a lawyer for the group said. "If the Yesha Council wants to hold the largest ever sheep protest seen in Jerusalem, I recommend they dress up as sheep."
