Brigitte Bardot-funded campaign targets Israel's live animal shipments

A powerful campaign against the live animal shipment industry has been launched in Israel, backed by a significant donation from the late French actress and animal welfare advocate Brigitte Bardot. The initiative aims to bring attention to the harsh realities faced by calves and lambs transported for slaughter.

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Every calf and lamb featured in the campaign was documented in real time upon arriving in Israel after a grueling sea voyage.

The campaign features 100 advertisements displayed on buses nationwide. These ads present a striking image of an animal seen from inside transport trucks, accompanied by the message, "You're on your way to a vacation. They're on their way to hell." The timing of the rollout during Israel's busiest travel period is intended to maximize public impact.

Representatives from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation traveled to Israel to oversee the campaign's preparations and approve the materials, ensuring Bardot's wishes were honored. Yaron Lapidot, a founder of Israel Against Live Shipments, stated that the animals featured were documented upon arrival after arduous sea voyages, and sadly, many are no longer alive. The campaign seeks to give faces and identities to the statistics, highlighting that these are living creatures enduring difficult journeys before slaughter.

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Sadly, in most cases we know that the animals shown in the campaign are no longer alive. The purpose of the campaign is to restore faces and identities to the statistics and remind people that these are living animals forced to endure a long and difficult journey only to be slaughtered in Israel.

Bardot, known for her lifelong dedication to animal welfare, had previously funded a similar campaign in Israel. She ensured that her foundation would continue her advocacy work even after her passing. Netanel Sheler, head of Freedom for Animals' public awareness efforts, explained that Bardot specifically chose Israel, believing that Jewish traditions surrounding animal welfare could foster significant social change, particularly within religious communities. She strategically timed the campaign around the High Holidays to align with these values.

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Jewish traditions surrounding animal welfare could serve as the foundation for meaningful social change, particularly among religious and conservative communities.