Israel and Belgium traded sharp criticism Wednesday after Belgian authorities indicted three mohels arrested last year in Antwerp over circumcisions allegedly performed without official authorization.
The case has sparked anger in Israel and among Jewish organizations in Europe, with critics saying the prosecution threatens Jewish religious freedom in one of the continent’s oldest Jewish communities.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Wednesday that “in this act, Belgium joins a short and shameful list, alongside Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to persecute Jews for observing Judaism.”
“This is a mark of shame upon Belgium,” Sa’ar said. “The covenant of circumcision is a cornerstone of the Jewish faith.”
Sa’ar added that many countries in Europe and around the world have created legal frameworks to facilitate circumcision and Jewish religious freedom, and urged Belgium to do the same.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot rejected the criticism, urging Sa’ar to “exercise greater restraint” and view his role in “its proper context.”
“It is inappropriate to publicly criticize a country and tarnish its image simply because you disagree with judicial proceedings,” Prévot said. “I have already told you this. Would you consider it acceptable for our Ambassador in Washington to do the same?”
Prévot said the proceedings were initiated by representatives of the Jewish community themselves.
“To portray those as a country’s desire to undermine the religious freedom of Jews is defamatory,” he said. “This freedom has never been called into question and never will be in our country. Our Constitution protects it.”
Sa’ar responded that the reference to judicial independence missed the point, saying the investigation should never have been opened had Belgium properly regulated circumcision.
Jewish leaders in Europe also condemned the indictments. Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, called the prosecution “antisemitic in essence” and said it marked “another red line” crossed in Europe.
“Jews should prepare to leave Belgium following the prosecution of mohels,” Margolin said, adding that his group would hold a conference on the issue, including the possibility of emigration.
Israel’s chief rabbi, Kalman Meir Ber, also denounced the case, calling circumcision a central Jewish commandment and not merely a surgical procedure. He urged Belgian authorities to withdraw the prosecution.