The problems of Jews caused by the concern of the international community for relations with the Moslems seem to have no borders. Far away from the Middle East such concern allegedly posed a threat to the ability of Jews in New Zealand to slaughter poultry in accordance with halacha.

Thanks to a major campaign by local and international Jewry the ban on kosher poultry slaughter imposed last May by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture was recently lifted. The "New Zealand Herald", however, raised the allegation that the motivation for the ban was the concern that allowing Jews to perform shechita while prohibiting the preparation of meat according to Islamic dietary laws might hurt the country's commercial and diplomatic ties with the Moslem world.

When we read in this week's Torah portion of G-d's promise to free our ancestors from Egyptian bondage, we gain the confidence that despite all our problems with our enemies and their collaborators, we can look forward to a secure Israel forever.

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