European Jewish leaders call on Belgium to stop prosecution of mohels, say it undermines religious freedom

Jewish leaders from across Europe have issued an open letter urging Belgian and European officials to intervene after courts in Antwerp moved to prosecute mohels — men who perform Jewish ritual circumcision.

The letter, penned by the European Jewish Association, says the prosecution effectively criminalizes circumcision and undermines the right to freedom of religion, and calls the effort an attack on religious freedom and Jewish life in Europe.

The appeal follows a decision made earlier this month by the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office to prosecute two mohels last year. A third person, who filmed the event, was not charged, an EJA representative noted.

The court’s decision was met at the time with anger by political figures around the globe, including Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White.

Laws in Belgium require that medical procedures can only be performed by a licensed doctor, and the mohels do not have that certification, despite training in the Jewish circumcision ritual, EJA notes. Efforts to create a licensing mechanism to allow them to operate legally in the country have not been successful.

The EJA letter accuses Belgian authorities of refusing to compromise, and describes the case as discriminatory and “antisemitic in nature.” Other countries, including France, the Netherlands and Germany, have found ways to balance religious freedom with medical oversight, the letter notes.

“We remind Belgium that freedom of religion is a fundamental right,” the letter states. “The message being sent here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium.”

“Circumcision is not a crime,” the letter concludes.