Here’s an aspect of Arab-Israeli relations that’s truly black and white: A pair of zebras, currently residents of the Ramat Gan Safari located in a northern suburb of Tel Aviv, may be on their way to Gaza as a gift to the area’s children. The transfer is being considered following an incident in which the Marah Land Zoo in Gaza City had a pair of donkeys painted black and white in an effort to pass them off as zebras. The zoo’s only two zebras died of hunger earlier this year because of neglect during the Israel-Hamas war, and it couldn’t afford to replace them.
Although the zoo is one of Gaza’s few family-friendly entertainment venues, it was badly damaged during the fighting in January, with many of its animals killed and the facility’s animal population largely reduced.
Following the fighting, the zoo hired an artist to paint black-and-white stripes on a group of donkeys, and then used the animals to give rides to local children.
Zvi Bar, mayor of Ramat Gan, described the paint job as “irredeemable animal cruelty,” according to the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot.
Research into the zebras’ possible transfer began on October 11, but must clear a number of hurdles before the move can take place. Groups ranging from the Safari’s veterinary staff and Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority to the army and the Palestinian Authority must grant permission for the transfer.
Fortunately for the zebras, the staff of the Ramat Gan Safari already has experience with difficult moves. The facility recently flew a pair of hippopotamuses, sedated and accompanied by a team of veterinary experts, to a zoo in Kazakhstan.
The Forward welcomes reader comments in order to promote thoughtful discussion on issues of importance to the Jewish community. In the interest of maintaining a civil forum, the Forward requires that all commenters be appropriately respectful toward our writers, other commenters and the subjects of the articles. Vigorous debate and reasoned critique are welcome; name-calling and personal invective are not. While we generally do not seek to edit or actively moderate comments, the Forward reserves the right to remove comments for any reason.
Copyright © 2013, Forward Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Why a Rabbi Should Not Marry Outside the Faith
Tapping Into Growing Lure of Hidden Jewish Heritage
Montreal's First Jewish Mayor Michael Applebaum Hit With Corruption Charges
Getting In Face of Ultra-Orthodox on Need for Real World Education
Barbra Streisand Is Butt of Anti-Semitic Joke
You've successfully signed up!
So let me get this straight, they have starving animals; they had their pair of Zebra's STARVE. TO. DEATH.
They currently have two donkeys. STARVING. TO. DEATH.
And they want to get more animals. TO STARVE TO DEATH?
Fuck them and their fucked up zoo, people shouldn't be up in arms over the political facts or that they dyed Donkeys, it should be the fact THEY'RE KILLING ANIMALS AND WANT MORE ANIMALS TO KILL.
1] Re. "died of hunger earlier this year because of neglect during the Israel-Hamas war" // [The zoo's director:] "There used to be other animals, including a leopard and monkeys, but they were killed during Israel's devastating military offensive at the turn of the year. "Most died of thirst or hunger. For three weeks, we couldn't approach the zoo. An (Israeli) tank was posted by the entrance," Barghut said. "I called emergency services but they told me they weren't even able to help people." About 1,400 Palestinians were killed in the 22-day assault." [AFP] 2] [Above -- "Research into the zebras’ possible transfer began on October 11, but must clear a number of hurdles before the move can take place."] Re. hurdles: "Israel controls the movement of goods into and out of Gaza and only allows in humanitarian and basic supplies. The zoo could smuggle zebras into Gaza through tunnels connecting the strip with Egypt, but that would cost $30,000." [Huffington Post]
Rach, you don't seem to get it. It was the Israeli soldiers that killed the Gaza zoo animals during Cast Lead. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjCVWdy39bc&feature=Responses&parent_video=_ExZVimjST8&index=0&playnext=1&playnext_from=RL
Your lack of knowledge, and misplaced anger, are shocking!