Circumcision

The decision of the Belgian justice to prosecute two mohels for illegal circumcision in Antwerp provokes strong anger in Israel.
The Antwerp Prosecutor’s Office announced that it wants to send these two practitioners to the Correctional Court, calling the facts “voluntary beating and premeditating injury against minors” and “illegal practice of medicine”. A closed-door hearing is scheduled to be held on June 18 to decide on a possible trial.
The case, opened after searches conducted in 2025 in several locations, including in the local Jewish community, follows a complaint about circumcision practiced outside the medical framework.
But the Israeli reaction was not expected. Israeli minister Gideon Saar has strongly denounced a violation of Jewish religious practices. On social media, he accused Belgium of “joining the shame list”, deeming the use of criminal law against religious rites to be a worrying drift.
Several Jewish organizations, including the European Jewish Association, have also condemned the procedure, citing a “red line” and a threat to religious freedom.

Source