[51865] Sa'ar against Belgium: "Criminal persecution of Jews for observing tradition"

Diplomatic tension: Belgium files indictments against mohels

The Belgian government announced the filing of indictments against three mohels, who were arrested in the city of Antwerp about a year ago for performing circumcisions without the presence of a doctor. The reports come from several Telegram channels, among them News from the Field and The News Scene, which noted that the affair has sparked a political storm in Israel.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded sharply to the move and issued a statement that was widely quoted on Amichai Stein's Diplomatic Channel and the Current Security News channel. Sa'ar stated that "in this act, [Belgium] joins a short and shameful list, together with Ireland, of countries using criminal law to persecute Jews for observing Judaism."

According to the minister, as reported on Current Security News, "circumcision is the cornerstone of the Jewish faith," and therefore he calls on the Belgian government "to act immediately and find a solution" to the situation, while defining the case as a "badge of shame on Belgian society."

It should be noted that the sources covering the event take a critical line toward the Belgian move, with some of them, such as the News from the Field channel, even defining the Belgian policy with a negative sentiment. The event once again highlights the existing tension between religious traditions and medical regulations in European countries.