The Belgian prosecution announced today (Wednesday) the filing of an indictment against three circumcisers who were arrested last year in the city of Antwerp.
During a police raid about a year ago, circumcision knives were confiscated and circumcisers were presented with demands to reveal the list of babies who had been circumcised in the period preceding the arrest.
The investigation began following a tip-off filed by a Neturi Karta member who is in conflict with the Haredi community in Antwerp.
According to Belgian law, it is forbidden to perform medical procedures without official authorization, including circumcision. For many years, the authorities turned a blind eye to the issue, but the official complaint led to the opening of criminal proceedings against the circumcisers - simply for the fact that they performed circumcision without the presence of a qualified doctor.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reacted sharply to the Belgian announcement: "With this act, Belgium joins a short and shameful list, along with Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to persecute Jews for preserving Judaism. This is a mark of disgrace on Belgium.".
Saar added that circumcision is a cornerstone of the Jewish faith and demanded that the local government find a solution to the situation. "Many countries in Europe and around the world have created legal frameworks to facilitate circumcision and freedom of the Jewish religion in their countries. I call on the Belgian government to act immediately to find an appropriate solution.".
