Santa Monica anti-circumcision bill dropped

But Jena Troutman, the woman fronting the campaign in Santa Monica, said she had changed her mind and was dropping the issue.

Her announcement came after Matthew Hess, the leader of the San Francisco Male Genital Mutilation Bill group, was accused of writing and distributing an antisemitic comic book featuring Foreskin Man and Monster Mohel.

Ms Trotman said she never wanted the "religious aspect" to feature in the circumcision debate. She said she now wanted to find a different way "to inform parents" about the procedure.

She said her goal was not religious conflict, just education.

The decision was praised by local rabbis and the city's mayor, Richard Bloom.