Israel declared a ban on the sale of fur in the fashion industry on Wednesday, earning praise from the International Anti-Fur Coalition for being the first complete nation to do so. 

In a statement after signing the amendment, which goes into effect in 6 months, environmental protection minister, Gila Gamliel, said the fur industry causes the deaths of hundreds of millions of animals worldwide, and inflicts indescribable cruelty and suffering.

She added animal fur commerce, both imports, and exports will be prohibited save for the sake of research, study, or special religious traditions.

Animal rights NGO, Animals Now, applauded the decision, calling it a "historic milestone" that will rescue many animals from the misery of the fur business.

In a statement, the NGO said they have been fighting for years to ban the sale of furs to the fashion industry, and from the beginning, 86 percent of the Israeli people supported this. They express their gratitude to Minister Gamliel and Tal Gilboa, the prime minister's animal rights adviser, as well as their long-time allies, Let The Animals Live and the International Anti-Fur Coalition (IAFC).

Jane Halevy, the founder of IAFC, said the IAFC has promoted a bill to ban the sale of fur in Israel since 2009, and they commend the Israeli government for finally taking the historic step toward banning fur for fashion history.

Halevy added all animals suffer horribly as a result of this cruel and antiquated industry. Nothing is more powerful than a well-timed idea. Killing animals for fur should be made illegal everywhere, and it is high time that governments all over the globe should prohibit the selling of fur.

PETA, an animal rights organization, called the decision a "historic win," saying it would safeguard countless foxes, minks, rabbits, and other animals from being mercilessly slaughtered for their skin."

Israel is the first country in the world to prohibit the sale of fur to the fashion business, however, the US state of California outlawed the selling of fur to the fashion industry in 2019.