Indictment Issued Against 3 Antwerp Mohalim, US Ambassador Slams ‘Antisemitic Prosecution’
Police raided the men’s homes, seized knives and sought records of circumcisions after a complaint prompted the case, officials said.
- On Wednesday, a Belgian court indicted three Mohels in Antwerp for performing circumcisions without a certified physician present, following a complaint filed against the religious practitioners.
- Last year, police raided the homes of HaRav Aharon Eckstein and HaRav Moshe Landau, confiscating knives and demanding lists of all babies circumcised in the past year.
- Ambassador Bill White called the indictments a "shameful stain on Belgium," while The Trump Administration condemned the judicial action and demanded an immediate certification solution from the Belgian government.
- Belgium joins Ireland as countries using criminal law to prosecute Jews for practicing Judaism; about 60 Jewish leaders appealed to European Commission President Ursula, asserting the move violates religious freedom.
- Earlier this year, White accused the Belgian government of targeting religious practice, demanding that Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke establish legal provisions allowing Mohels to perform their duties lawfully.
31 Articles
31 Articles
The Belgian Government has again engaged in a public diplomatic dispute with the United States and Israel over the interference of these countries in what Brussels considers to be an internal judicial case and Washington and Tel Aviv describe as one more sample of anti-Semitism in Europe: the decision of the Antwerp Prosecutor's Office to propose that two Mohelim (Jewish experts in the Brit Milah, ritual circumcision) be charged for having carri…
Belgium is exposed to massive criticism from Israel and the United States for the prosecution of men who carry out the ritual circumcision prescribed in Judaism.
Belgium Indicts Jewish Mohels, Sparking Diplomatic Firestorm With US and Israel
Belgian army personnel patrol a street as part of a deployment of soldiers outside Jewish institutions in Antwerp and Brussels following attacks at Jewish sites in Belgium and other European countries, in Antwerp, Belgium, March 23, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman Belgian authorities have indicted two mohels for allegedly performing illegal circumcisions, amid a government probe into the Jewish ritual — with Jewish and political leaders warning…
‘Jews should prepare to leave Belgium’: mohel indictment sparks fears for Jewish futu
‘Jews should prepare to leave Belgium’: mohel indictment sparks fears for Jewish future. Belgian officials say the case stems from complaints within the Jewish community, while Israel says Belgium must create a legal framework protecting circumcision The post Jews should prepare to leave Belgium mohel indictment sparks fears for Jewish future appeared first on Jerusalem World News.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Cleveland Jewish NewsIsrael, US condemn Belgium over planned prosecutions tied to Jewish circumcisions
A diplomatic spat erupted on Wednesday after Belgian prosecutors moved to charge two Jewish men tied to ritual circumcisions, prompting Israeli and U.S. officials to accuse Belgium of targeting Jews for practicing their faith. Gideon Saar, Israel’s minister of foreign affairs, lit into the country in a post on X Wednesday morning, calling the indictments a “scarlet letter on Belgian society.” “With this act Belgium joins a short and shameful lis…
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