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Belgium summoned the US ambassador on Tuesday after a dispute unfolded on social media over accusations of antisemitic prosecution of the Jewish community in the country.
The debate was sparked by the news that the Belgian authorities are investigating whether three men in Antwerp were performing circumcisions without certified medical training, according to media reports.
Belgian law states that all medical procedures must be performed by licensed professionals — a rule Belgium believes extends to mohels, who perform circumcision according to Jewish rites.
US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White said in a post on X on Monday that “antisemitism is unacceptable in any form and it must be rooted out of our society.”
According to White, the investigation represented “unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium.”
White also criticised Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, calling him “very rude” and accusing him of employing a “sneaky tactic” in the case.
“You must make a legal provision to allow Jewish religious mohels to perform their duties here in Belgium,” he said.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot responded in a separate post on X, writing that “labeling Belgium as antisemitic is not just wrong, it’s dangerous disinformation that undermines the real fight against hatred.”
“An ambassador accredited to Belgium has a responsibility to respect our institutions, our elected representatives, and the independence of our judicial system,” Prévot said.
“Personal attacks against a Belgian minister and interference in judicial matters violate basic diplomatic norms.”
Prévot said that “Belgian law permits ritual circumcision when performed by a qualified physician under strict health and safety standards”.
He also stated that he would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Additional sources • AP