Supreme Court: No bread for Muslim inmates over Passover

The question is beyond the rights of this prisoner. It's a reflection of the entire Israeli society. What's that line about civilization and how their prisoners and indigents are treated. If Israel is not a banana republic, then it should not behave like one. This is a small prize to pay for Israeli society. Think about how every western country makes accommodations for Jewish dietary needs, including prisoners.

what are you talking about Israel??? I thought you got you self confused and think Saudi Arabia or any other muslim imposed state??? Reading yours previous writings I'm not surprised :))))

The Jews respect the christian/ muslim or any other holidays in country they reside with out any demands or complains like the Muslims do FI Christmas lights, trees, music in shopping centers, have anybody ever heard about any Jews complaining?? but Muslims do it and demand it in a christian countries all the time.This is Israel and the Judean country live with it!

It's not just a question of the presence of added yeast, but the natural fermentation that takes place when wheat and water mix. Chapatis may be Kosher for Passover, but they need to be prepared in accordance with the Passover laws. Unlikely though that a prison cafeteria would go through such exertion.

Ok, that is harder for the cook (who has to actually knead dough and roll it out and heat it), but chapatis are unleavened (only ingredients are wheat-flour and water, just like matzah) and strongly-resemble pita-breads which Arabs like.

Given the punishment doled out to non-Muslims caught eating during the Ramadan fast, I'd say the issue of matza shouldn't even arise (pun totally unintended). All you anti Israelis out there, get a life... if we can live with matza for 8 days, so can Mr Arab prisoner.

But it is not his religious beliefs it is yours and it is you who is forcing your beliefs on him. Can't you not see how odious it looks to civilised decent people. BtW there is nothing in the Bible which states that people should be forced to be believers.

when you are talking about rights given to a population you must also take into account what they give back to the country. Most muslims in Israel do not go to the army or do national service. Also muslims are cutting into much of the job market by charging half as much as their jewish competitors. They can live on this because they dont pay the 50% taxes.

This is Israel. You can't force someone to fast for religious reasons. Not a Jew on Yom Kippur nor a Moslem during Ramadan. And certainly not a Jew during Ramadan. Do you really have such a hard time grasping the concept of minimizing offense? when you are in prison you will have to get along with the other inmates. Get used to the idea now.

"Israel does not have to deside if it a Jewish state. THe world decided when they closed their borders to Jews running from Hitlers killing field" Tobia, the holocaust was one of the greatest crimes in history but it was 75 years ago. The holocaust may go some way to explaining the mindset of Jewish Israelis who discriminate against Arabs today but it does not excuse it.

Let's all remember for a second, Matzah is Bread. Unleavened Bread, but bread nonetheless. We say a motzi over it. It is just a different twist on the theme. Let that sink into the anti-Semetic brains there for a minute. No one is being deprived of their rights, no one is being tortured by eating this food. For one week, that is what's on the menu. It's not toxic, its not Haram, and its not the only thing being served on the menu.

Israel does not have to deside if it a Jewish state. THe world decided when they closed their borders to Jews running from Hitlers killing field

I do believe that the spirit of Israel is dead. Lots of neo nazis from the US and the old Eastern Communist countries there. This is heart breaking, but your country is doomed to failure with people like that. I am glad my grand father died in Sachen Hausen. He would have been too horrified by what you have become.

There are a few old crosses on your flag as well Pete and our queen's also your queen. BUT, neither the UK nor Australia go round shouting that they're The Christian State. If you're a citizen of the UK or Australia you have just as many rights and just as much stake in the country as anyone else. As you'd know Pete. In Israel, Arabs get less public money, fewer public jobs, worse job opportunities and 50 per cent of Israeli kids think they shouldn't have the same legal rights as Jews. How would you feel if Jews in Australia were systematically discriminated against by the public sector and 50 per cent of Australian kids thought you shouldn't have the same legal rights as them? Saudi Arabia's worse in treatment of other religions but it's not claiming to be a western democracy, and it doesn't get special trade deals from the EU Israel can't be Jewish AND democratic. The crunch point wil come when it has to choose. people like Shas and Lieberman have chosen already.

Well I tried many times, Cipora, why? Do you mean that it's official day off and most of the supermarkets are closed? What keeps you from buying bread a day before Christmas day or on Fridays? What keeps you from buying bread in some smaller 24/24 7/7 grocery right on the Christmas night? By contrast, I never heard of Muslim or Jewish inmates "anywhere in the christian world" being forced to eat the holy bread and wine during Christmas or on Sundays. Why won't you scream your head off when that will be the case? I will support you wholeheartedly. I hope that upon second thought you'll realize the difference between a state institution (as prison) and your home. To be sure, the mazza instead of bread for the Jewish inmates is not exactly the very embodiment of democracy either. Any secular Israeli me including can tell you a lot on such deprivations being rule in Israel.

you to know something about being a Jew. Your Arab friend in the Israeli jail is not forced to eat food that is not sanctioned by his muslim religion, like Polard would be if they served him bacon. Matzah id definitely Halal (the muslim equivalent of kosher). He, your Arab friend has other problems.........

just not in public. The problem is that the jail is a "public" place managed by some government agency, and as such they are obliged to follow the Kashrut laws which forbid bread/chametz during Passover. No human right and no BS, just plain Jewish tradition of no bread visible during Passover, in your home you can have whatever you want.

of getting CHAMETZ (bread is) during Passover into a place that gets cleaned of it before Passover, you would stop the whining. It has nothing to do with the prisoner being an Arab or a non-Jew, it is the logistics of having it in the compound during the 8 days.

Your Queen is guardian of which faith? Xmas is a public holiday,why isnt Eid? Why do Moslems get convicted & punished for yelling obscenities at returning British servicemen? Where is your freedom of speech? Sort out your own "democracy"and show the world how its done. Ever considered lecturing the Moslem world on democracy or just stick to tugging the forelock and paying a billion quid to prince when ordered?

try to shop on christmas day anywhere in the christian world.

You're in prison and you expect them to cater to your needs? Here's a better idea...stay out of trouble and then you can eat to your own likings. You made your bed now sleep in it.

well... Jewish religion does not imbue refusal of meal with any kind of "holy water". Speaking of Kosher... some airlines due to harsh economy discontinued Kosher meals in flight. Perhaps Mr. Pollard prison is better funded than some private enterprises. Looks like the prison in question is on par...

... just hope the Muslim prisoner gets enough potatos and suchlike during the week of Pesach... health-wise am in-the-same-boat, but will survive the week somehow, while the family guzzles matza...

"Jewish democratic state" sounds like an effort to intimidate this *individual* prison inmate. Instead, I would make sure to serve ALL prisoners cheap nutritious food with no respect whatsoever for dietary restrictions. If you don't want to be served pork, then don't commit crimes! Note that my response is not "rightist" nor "leftist" it's "show prisoners that they're in prison."

In Fact the court may not have a word here,as everything in Israel is sold to a non jew person in every passover.

The worst thing is seeing all thse American Jews clamoruing for Israel to be The Jewish State. Yet they'd scream like murder, if a right-wing government turned the USA into The Christian State or the WASP state. Israel can't be a modern western democracy and be The Jewish State. It has to choose.

What are your brothers feeding Gilad? Does he have access to the Red Cross? Regular health checks? Family visits? Mail?

Do Jewish inmates fast also in Ramadan?

When we know that Gilad Shalit is getting Matzot for Pesach and we know that he is well enough to eat it - then the Muslims can receive what they want!

Food is food, and this objection is one of personal preference, not religion. He would have case if the prison was to be serving only pork during that time period, but that obviously would never happen.

That's ridiculous! Maybe all prisinors should be forced to fast during the month of Ramadan, or prisoners forcefed potato latkes!

If one thinks in Arab/Muslim states non muslim prisoners can eat whatever they want and whenever they want including during Ramadan I think you are not well informed. So again one can ask what is the reason Muslims request to bring in chameetz into a prison in a jewish country? It is certainly not aimed at demanding equal rights for non Muslims in Muslim countries or is it?

judgement is very much legal and proper the proper term is awaited in civil and civics!

ham and bacon dont takeover mekka nor the people who eat that...differences between halaal and kosher: muslims can have a cheese burger so eat your hearts out :)

judgement is very much legal and proper the proper term is awaited in civil and civics!

Some people are absolutely crazy. It is not racist in the slightest. It is just easier for the whole prison to be klp (pesach food) because a lot of the prisoners themselves would only eat kosher food. No one is trying to enforce anyone's view on anyone else. It's simply logistically ridiculous to force them to serve non-klp food, which would involve the whole place becoming non-kosher. Besides, if they are so racist, how was this allowed in the courts. It's obvious people just want to slander Israel whenever they can.

Next time punish him by pushing him into the holy of holies.

Even though we are talking about prisoners they are entitled to a certain level of dignity. Eating in front of a Moslem during Ramadan or not serving meals to fit in with their schedule is simply cruel for no good reason. Similarly having bread in dining areas of Jewish prisoners during Passover is an unnecessary affront. For the sake of not offending not serving bread in prison where there are Jewish prisoners is a minimal gesture that even prisoners have rights.

Too bad the murdered Rachel Corrie won't be sharing Easter dinner with her family ever again. At least there's hope for Shalit.

can someone please find out for me if GILAD SHALIT is attending a seder???????????????

Julio, the difference between serving matzah to a muslim inmate and serving pork to a jewish inmate is that there is no religious prohibition to prevent the muslim from eating matzah while jews are prohibited from eating pork. your snarky comment is misplaced and misguided.

Let force the jews to eat these kind of food, that will be nice to see! And I want to hear no complaint!

They will never commit any terrorist acts again.

Here in the U.S. the law requires respect for the religious diet restrictions of inmates. Even though Jonathan Pollard is in a "mixed ward" he must be served kosher food. Much as I despise this traitor, we must respect his religious beliefs.

When I can have my beer and ham sandwich (during passover and beyond) in Mea She'arim and Mecca, I know modern times finally arrived in the Middle East.

You cannot be Jewish and democratic. Think about it. I am not decrying the wish to be Jewish or akin to one's faith. But your religion is between you and God. This does not make a democratic state any more than a Muslim state if ever there was to be one then that would not be democratic eitgher neither would be a Christian State.

So could you remind me what makes Israel a democratic state: Imposing the majority religion's will on its religious minorities. If that's the maxim a lot of Jews in other countries are going to suffer because of this.

Good for Israel which is a Jewish State and will soon be observing Passover. The muslims impose all of their racist religious ideology all over the world so they can eat matzah and I hope it gives them constipation.

No inmate is forced to eat matzes.only if they go on hungerstrike.

For heaven's sakes, can't Israel meet even minimum standards of decency! I know, it will not kill this guy to eat matzoh, but there is more here than meets the eye I think. It is the israeli establishment shoving something down this poor guys throat--and I don't mean just unleavened bread. It is a way of saying you don't count and we do. Well that;s your problem, Israel. We all see it and it ain't pretty.

To do anything less would be disrespectful of their civil rights. MV

Imagine, in this apartheid state, this poor Arab (criminal) can actually get the supreme court of Israel to make time to listen to his critical argument of wanting to eat bread instead of Matzeh. What kind of radical country is this Israel!

Gluten-free matzah if made with certified gluten-free oats, is good for sufferers of celiacs disease, and is especially good for diabetics... what's the food like for prisoners in Israel? Haaretz 5 January 2010 "Nearly half of Israeli hospital patients at risk of malnutrition." http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1140014.html If patients in Israeli hospitals are facing malnutrition then perhaps Muslim prisoners in Israeli jails are really complaining about more than variety of bread.

I now stick with baguette

So if the Arab inmates have no choice in 'observing' Jewish holidays, would the Jewish inmates have to fast the month of Ramadan?

But handing out bread to people who prefer it is not a big deal either. And it does smack of triumphalism to rub it in with the whole 'Jewish and democratic state' rhetoric. (Teach 'm their place!) Talk about creating tensions.

How silly! probably purposeful since it reached such a level! I am sure he wont die with eating the Matzah instead!

Muslims are so funny sometimes!

This is more about human respect of religion which is a moral right and not something to be politicised or abused by a country which atm is getting a bit too much attention. Hiding behind law and rules reminds me of a historical group which did exactly the same thing

thEY COMMIT A CRIME.TOUGH ON THEM. i AM SURE THEY WOULD NOT GIVE jEWISH PRISONERS THE PROPER FOOD. lETS HEAR IT FROM YOU iSRAEL bASHERS

You can't have it both ways

Wonder what special privileges non-Muslim prisoners in Arab countries are afforded during Ramadan. Bet they have to go without eating during daylight hours for the entire month!

what if we didnt serve kosher food to jews in in canadian jails?? it may be good for them and they may like it?

Matzah is healthy and nice, who cares about bread, very overrated in my opinion.

The scenario wouldn't exist in 400 ce Jews didn't have autonomy and control over prisons I can't wait to read the talkback that will condemn this however if you know Halacha it is actually somewhat reasonable as it would be a serious expense for 8 days. You'd need to completely separate the two peoples offaith with two non merging wards. It'd be a headache anyone know what happens in prisons outside israel regarding Jews on Passover? I read in mark steyn America alone that in Britain Muslims get lamb on christmas as turkey is not customary and it's unfair that others get a meal that celebrates the day. I just don't know anyone in prison Or who has ever been

While I can't speak for this particular Arab prisoner, many Israeli Arabs actually LIKE Matzah. They see it as an "ethnic food" and enjoy it. Of course, they can eat other things, too, as they don't keep kosher. This Arab prisoner isn't being "forced" to eat anything; there is plenty to eat in his prison. He will certainly not starve during Passover. The court ruled fairly and sensibly.

My wife is on a no carb diet. No bread, no rice, no pasta. She eats protein fruits and vegetables. She exercises and looks great. The Arab/Moslems will do very well over the 8 days of Passover.... and maybe if they try the Matzoh they might like it.

What would the Arab/Muslim response be to a request for wine or liquor in their institutions????

Its a kind of fascism, I remember,in Galilee Hospital during passover people are denied to enter bread. Why everyone,atheists, muslims,christians,etc.. must follow jewish religious laws?.that's not fascism?,so in catholic countries jews must follow catholic rules?

they will understand that it is about the Jews 3500 years ago coming in "palestine", and also they will learn about the real meaning of freedom, about the 10 commandments which Islam does not have. Enjoy your matza chabibi and think where you are and where the Jews are.

Ok let them die of hunger than once

Jews get kosher food in U.S. prisons.