Belgium takes aim at traditional Jewish circumcision with wave of indictments

US, Israel blast decision by Belgian prosecutors to file criminal charges against three men who performed circumcisions for members of the Jewish community without medical certification.

By World Israel News Staff

Belgian prosecutors have filed criminal charges against three Jewish mohalim (ritual circumcisers) from Antwerp, accusing them of performing circumcisions without recognized medical certification.

The case has drawn sharp criticism from Israel and the United States, where officials say Belgian authorities are effectively threatening Jewish religious practice.

The charges follow police raids last year in Antwerp’s Jewish Quarter, where authorities searched homes and seized circumcision instruments as part of an investigation into alleged illegal circumcisions. Belgian law requires circumcisions to be performed by licensed medical professionals.

Belgian authorities have also raised concerns over metzitzah b’peh, a traditional post-circumcision practice used in some Orthodox communities, citing the risk of disease transmission to infants.

Reports at the time said the investigation began after a complaint from within the Jewish community.

The indictment could prevent mohalim without recognized Belgian medical credentials from performing ritual circumcisions in the country without risking criminal prosecution.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the charges Wednesday, saying ritual circumcision is central to Jewish life.

“Brit Mila is the cornerstone of Jewish faith,” Sa’ar said. “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.”

US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White also denounced the indictment in a statement on X.

“This is a shameful stain on Belgium,” White wrote. “The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won’t be tolerated.”

White said the Trump administration “condemns this judicial action” and accused Belgium’s government of failing to create a legal framework for Jewish circumcisers.

“For the sake of Belgium’s reputation in the world, I hope the Belgian government will act now,” he said.

The case had already triggered a diplomatic dispute earlier this year after White publicly accused Belgian authorities of antisemitism over the investigation. Belgium summoned him for a formal rebuke.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot rejected White’s accusation at the time.

“Any suggestion that Belgium is antisemitic is false, offensive and unacceptable,” Prévot said, according to AP. He said Belgian law permits ritual circumcision when carried out by a qualified physician under health and safety standards.

Jewish groups have argued that Belgium should create a religious exemption or certification pathway for trained mohalim, as other countries have done.

The dispute comes amid broader tensions between Belgian authorities and Jewish religious groups. Belgium has also restricted kosher slaughter in much of the country, a policy critics say has already limited Jewish religious life.