The Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office has indicted two mohels (professionals who perform circumcision) for bodily harm with premeditation against minors, the office confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
In a statement to the Post, the Prosecutor’s Office said that it has completed the judicial investigation into alleged illegal circumcisions and can confirm that there is “sufficient evidence to request that the case be referred to the criminal court for two men.”
“The facts have been classified as intentional assault or bodily harm with premeditation against minors, as well as the illegal practice of medicine.”
The two men involved will appear before the pre-trial chamber on 18 June, behind closed doors. The pre-trial chamber will then decide whether to refer the case to the criminal court.
This highly controversial case began a year ago, when Belgian authorities raided multiple sites, including two in Antwerp’s Jewish Quarter, at the outset of an investigation into illegal circumcisions.
Worries that this will escalate to a blanket ban on circumcision.
The Antwerp raids stemmed from a complaint made by a member of the Jewish community named Moshe Friedman, who filed a police complaint against six mohels who practice metzitzah b’peh, a custom in which the circumciser cleans the circumcision wound by suctioning through a straw.
The ensuing inquest has led to mass outrage from the Jewish community, who claim their way of life is being threatened, as well as Israeli and American diplomats.
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. The covenant of circumcision is a cornerstone of the Jewish faith.”
He added that many countries in Europe and around the world have created legal frameworks to facilitate circumcision and Jewish religious freedom in their states, and urged Belgium to do the same.
One of the most outspoken critics is US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, who tweeted on Wednesday that “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. The Trump Administration condemns this judicial action and also condemns the political inaction by the Belgian Government to find a solution with the beautiful Jewish communities here in Belgium,” he wrote.
White called on the Belgian Government to work with Jewish leaders and communities to find a solution immediately.
Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot responded quickly, urging White to “exercise greater restraint” and view his role in “its proper context.” The two entered into a similar public row in February of this year.
“It is inappropriate to publicly criticize a country and tarnish its image simply because you disagree with judicial proceedings,” Prévot continued. “I have already told you this. Would you consider it acceptable for our Ambassador in Washington to do the same?”
“I recall that the proceedings in question 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. This freedom has never been called into question and never will be in our country. Our Constitution protects it.”
Members of Antwerp’s Jewish community, however, have told the Post that the proceedings were not initiated by them, and that Friedman is not representative of the community at large.
“Mr. Friedman does not represent the Jewish community in Antwerp or Belgium,” Ralph Pais, vice president of Belgium’s Jewish Information and Documentation Centre (JID) and Forum of Jewish Organizations (FJO) told the Post. “He is not affiliated with any recognized Jewish institution, synagogue, or communal body. He does not participate in communal life, and his positions are widely rejected.”
Pais emphasized that it was problematic when authorities relied on fringe individuals to characterize an entire religious minority.
“When policymakers engage with outliers rather than recognized community leadership, it creates distortion and unnecessary tension. The Belgian Jewish community is organized, responsible, and fully open to dialogue. We are not asking for privilege; we are asking for clarity and for the respect we deserve.”
Pais worries that this will escalate to a blanket ban on circumcision.
“If we are not allowed to do brit milah [circumcision] anymore, Jewish life in Belgium is over; it’s finished, because it’s one of the conditions.”
