Prosecutors in Belgium have filed an indictment against three mohalim, including a US citizen, in connection with a long-running investigation into allegedly illegal circumcisions in Antwerp.
The men were charged on Wednesday with “intentional assault or battery with premeditation against minors and the unlawful practice of medicine”.
The case originally arose last year following complaints about the alleged offences, including from within the local Jewish community.
Circumcision is legal in Belgium, but it is required by law that the practitioner is medically trained.
According to the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office, “the investigation focuses on medical procedures performed by men who have not received medical training”.
"In other words: the circumcisions were allegedly not performed by or with a doctor,” prosecutors added.
However, the case has prompted international outrage from some Jewish organisations and has sparked a diplomatic row between Belgium and the US and Israel.
Reacting to the indictment, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote on X: “With this act Belgium joins a short and shameful list, together with Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to prosecute Jews for practising Judaism.
"This is a scarlet letter on Belgian society. The brit mila is the cornerstone of Jewish faith.
“Many countries in Europe and around the world have created legal frameworks to facilitate the brit and Jewish religion freedom in their countries.
“I call upon the Belgian government to act immediately and to find a solution.”
Similarly, US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White wrote: “This is a shameful stain on Belgium.
“The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won’t be tolerated.
"Belgium will be thought of now as antisemitic by the world until this is resolved, there is no way around it.
"We call upon the Belgian government to work with the Jewish leaders and communities to find a certification solution immediately.
“For the sake of Belgium’s reputation around the world, I hope the Belgian government will act NOW.”
And Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, said: “Antwerp prosecutors indicting three Jewish mohels for brit milah?
"A 3,500-year-old covenant, practised in Antwerp for the last 800 years, criminalised for lacking EU medical licenses.
"Echoes Roman Emperor Hadrian banning circumcision – which ended with a revolt and Hannuka. This isn’t health policy. It’s state harassment of Jewish life. Drop the charges!”
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