(JNS.org) Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has indicated that if elected, she will move to ban ritual slaughter of animals in France, as well as other methods of slaughter that do not utilize stunning.

Although Le Pen only specifically referenced a ban on Islamic halal slaughter, if implemented, the move would also outlaw kosher shechita slaughter.

“Slaughter without stunning, I’m sorry, it should have special labels. Furthermore, I think that slaughter without stunning should be prohibited,” Le Pen said Tuesday during a campaign visit to a meat market near Paris.

She added, “I would say that I think that 90 percent of abattoirs (slaughterhouse) are halal.” 

Le Pen’s comments come after her strong showing in the first round of the French presidential election Sunday, which caused Jewish leaders to express concern.

Many French Jews consider the far-right candidate a threat to their community. Le Pen has previously called on French Jews to make “sacrifices,” such as not wearing yarmulkes, as part of her initiative to ban religious symbols and combat radical Islam.

Following her statement on banning ritual slaughter, French Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia accused Le Pen of “fomenting hatred and war between the government and religions, as well as interreligious animosity,” saying her stance “undermines the foundations on which France was built.” 

The final round of the French presidential election will be held May 7. According to a poll from Ipsos/Sopra Steria, Le Pen’s centrist opponent, Emmanuel Macron, is projected to win 62 percent of the vote.

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