The Dutch anti-Islamist Freedom Party, which receives financial backing from American Jewish groups, has been criticised for supporting a shechitah ban.

The Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzger, has written to the leader of the right-wing party, Geert Wilders, saying he is “shocked and upset” that the party adopted an anti-ritual slaughter platform for the election being fought this week.

The Freedom Party came a surprise third in the 2010 elections. It called for a ban on headscarves and a total halt on non-Western immigration.

Mr Wilders has received funds from the Middle East Forum, a pro-Israeli think-tank based in Philadelphia.