Public prosecutor to appeal against ‘no ID card’ on Sabbat ruling

The public prosecution department is to appeal against a lower court ruling which said a Jewish man was within his rights not to carry an ID card on the Sabbat because it was against his religion.


The man failed to identify himself while out one Saturday last year, saying it is against orthodox Jewish principles to carry anything on the Sabbat.
Judges in The Hague ruled the man’s religious obligations weighed more heavily than the requirement he meet Dutch law. He had been fined €150.
Critics immediately condemned the court ruling, saying it would clear the way for orthodox Muslim women to get round a ban on the burqa when that becomes law.
They also argued religious sensibilities should not be above the law of the land.

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