World Notes ISRAEL

Nonkosher butchers usually keep a low profile in Israel, supplying meats to Christians and nonobservant Jews. But last week about half a dozen butchers handed out free ham sandwiches in downtown Jerusalem, attracting dozens of amused takers while infuriating others.

The giveaway was designed to protest a proposed ban on the sale of pork by Jewish businesses. The pork law was one of four concessions the government made to the small ultra-Orthodox Agudat Israel party last week in return for a coalition agreement. Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir also promised to impose further restrictions on abortion, curb public transportation on the Sabbath, and outlaw certain forms of advertising deemed obscene by religious leaders.