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Israel, US condemn Belgium over planned prosecutions tied to Jewish circumcisions

JL;DR SUMMARY Belgium is facing backlash from Israeli and U.S. officials after announcing prosecutions against two Jewish individuals involved in ritual circumcisions, viewed as a practice requiring medical licensing in Belgium. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

U.S. Israel RelationsCircumcisionReligious FreedomJewish PracticesGideon SaarBelgiumDiplomatic TensionsMaxime PrvotBill White

Places mentioned

Antwerp, Belgium
"Last year, Belgian authorities raided multiple sites, including two in Antwerps Jewish Quarter, at the beginning of an investigation into illegal circumcisions."
Belgium
"A diplomatic spat erupted on Wednesday after Belgian prosecutors moved to charge two Jewish men tied to ritual circumcisions, prompting Israeli and U.S. officials to accuse Belgium of targeting Jews for practicing their faith."
Israel
"Gideon Saar, Israels minister of foreign affairs, lit into the country in a post on X Wednesday morning, calling the indictments a scarlet letter on Belgian society."
United States
"Saars condemnation was quickly joined by the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, who had previously called on Belgium to drop the ridiculous and antisemitic investigation of mohels in February."
Ireland
"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, Saar wrote, later calling circumcision a cornerstone of Jewish faith and urging the Belgian government to act immediately and to find a solution."

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Cairo Item ID 81643
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Retrieved 2026-05-06 18:00:21 UTC
Curated 2026-05-06 19:00:49 UTC