Eighty-six percent of Israelis believe killing animals for their fur is immoral, according to a recent poll commissioned by the International Anti-Fur Coalition and Let Animals Live.
The survey further showed that 79% of Israelis support a bill that prohibits the fur industry in its entirety, including all importation, production and sales in Israel; 12% of respondents opposed the bill, while 9% had no opinion on the matter.
The survey, conducted by the Maagar Mohot polling company, questioned 542 Israeli adults and had a margin of error of 4.5%.
Rally in Tel Aviv (Photo: International Anti-Fur Coalition)
Eight percent of the respondents said killing animals for fur was moral, while 6% had no opinion on the matter.
Among Israel's general Jewish population, 92% believe killing of animals for fur is immoral; 85% of new immigrants are also against the fur industry, as are 64% of Arab-Israelis and 61% of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Jane Halevy, director of the International Anti-Fur Coalition, told Ynet that the poll's results have encouraged the organization to continue protesting the "global injustice that results in the death of tens of millions of animals for the fur industry" and work towards promoting legislation that will ban fur trade in Israel.
According to the Coalition, each year, more than 65 million animals are brutally killed for their fur throughout the world. Animals live in tiny cages made only of wire, before being gassed, electrocuted or even skinned alive. Footage shows that some of them fight against death for up to 10 minutes in total anguish after being skinned alive, the organization said.
Last week a vote on Knesset Member Ronit Tirosh's bill to ban imports of furs or textiles containing dog, cat or rabbit fur from east Asia was delayed due to the objection of the United Torah Judaism party.
The ultra-Orthodox party wants to preserve the round fur hats known as "shtreimels", which are made from rabbit, sable, stone marten, baum marten and American gray fox.
Friday saw dozens of Israelis gather at State Square in central Tel Aviv to protest against the fur trade.
"I hope this is the last rally of its kind, because the bill I'll pass will bring an end to animal abuse in Israel," MK Tirosh said.