Overview
- U.S. Ambassador Bill White publicly urged Belgium to drop what he called a “ridiculous” and “antisemitic” prosecution of three mohels and said he plans to visit them in Antwerp, inviting the health minister to join.
- Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot rebuked the allegation as dangerous disinformation, said the remarks violated diplomatic norms, and summoned White for a meeting in Brussels.
- Prosecutors have brought charges against three Antwerp mohels for practicing medicine without a license following 2024 police searches tied to a complaint about risky practices including metzitzah b’peh; no trial date has been set.
- Belgium maintains that ritual circumcision is legal only when performed by a qualified physician under health and safety standards, rejecting accusations of religious targeting.
- The dispute has drawn wider reactions, with Jewish leaders and some EU figures exploring certification or regulatory fixes, Israel’s foreign minister criticizing Belgium, and Belgian Jewish lawmaker Michael Freilich facing political backlash as he pushes for a licensing solution.