Criminal charges filed against three Jewish mohels in Belgium; US, Israel slam ‘shameful’ move

Criminal charges have been filed against three Jewish mohels — people who perform circumcision — in Antwerp, after they were arrested last summer in a raid.

After an extensive investigation, prosecutors now believe they have enough evidence to get a conviction.

In a sharply worded post on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calls the indictment “a scarlet letter on Belgian society.”

“With this act Belgium joins a short and shameful list, together with Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to prosecute Jews for practicing Judaism,” he writes.

Belgium have just announced the indictment of the three Mohels who were investigated last year in Antwerp.

With this act Belgium joins a short and shameful list, together with Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to prosecute Jews for practicing Judaism.

This is a…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) May 6, 2026

US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White also condemns the decision, calling it ” a shameful stain on Belgium.”

“The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won’t be tolerated,” he writes. “Belgium will be thought of now as anti-Semitic by the world. Until this is resolved, there is no way around it.”

The Trump administration hopes the Belgian government will work with Jewish leaders to find a solution immediately, he adds.

This is a shameful stain on Belgium.

The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won’t be tolerated.

Belgium will be thought of now as anti Semitic by world. Until this is resolved – there is no way around it.

The Trump… https://t.co/XBLp35aPH2

— Ambassador Bill White (@BillWhiteUSA) May 6, 2026

In May last year, police in Antwerp rounded up the mohels, suspected of illegally conducting the ritual Jewish circumcisions.

Belgium has laws mandating that all medical procedures must be performed by a licensed doctor.

Jewish community representatives charged that the raids were part of a larger campaign of intimidation against Jewish religious figures in Belgium.