Israel, the promised land for vegans

Israelis are flocking to veganism, to the point where even the army now has options for vegan soldiers and vegan militants woo converts by comparing meat eating to an animals’ ‘Holocaust’. The Vegan Fest in trendsetting Tel Aviv, where stands offered pea-based hot dogs, tofu doner kebabs and wheat gluten goulash, attracted 15,000 people in a day. The most-visited stand at the specialised food fair was that of U.S. pizza giant Domino’s, which last year launched in Israel a vegan vegetable pizza topped with soy cheese, a global first for the company which has reportedly sold 300,000 of them so far.

Four percent of Israelis define themselves as vegans, it’s the most vegan country in the world.

Omri Paz, organiser of the “Vegan Fest” fair

The Koshur Jewish dietary code, which forbids the mixing of meat and dairy products, has led to widespread acceptance of substitutes, particularly non-dairy toppings and desserts. Facebook is full of dedicated Israeli vegan communities and is divided into sub-groups, such as “Vegays” for gay vegans and “vegan teenagers” who want special menus in school canteens. Like vegetarians, vegans do not eat meat but they also eschew all animal products – including milk, eggs and honey – with some refusing to wear leather or use cosmetics tested on animals.

Middle East israel vegan