The European Jewish Association held an emergency conference in Brussels today as Belgium pursues criminal proceedings against people who perform religious circumcisions. Speakers warned that the case could become a decisive test for religious freedom, minority rights, and the future of Jewish life across Europe.
The group presented a new policy paper arguing that Belgium must decide whether a centuries-old religious practice used by Jews and Muslims should face criminal prosecution despite, it says, no evidence of systemic harm, a public health crisis, widespread injury, parental complaints, or identified victims. The paper calls for legal certainty, formal recognition of trained practitioners, professional standards, proper oversight, and dialogue instead of criminalization.
An interfaith panel featured Rabbi Benjamin Jacobs of the Netherlands, imam Nordin Taouil of Belgium, and priest Rick Hout. They said circumcision is a basic part of Jewish and Muslim identity and that democratic states should protect minority religious practice. Israeli-born Antwerp MP Michael Freilich told Bahadrei Haredim he organized the event to show unity among religions against what he called persecution of mohalim, adding that the issue has been distorted by biased or antisemitic sources. Belgian lawmakers and legal experts, including MP Giny Beels, constitutional scholar Rick Torfs, former Antwerp deputy mayor André Gantman, and lawyer Ralph Peis, also took part.
Medical speakers challenged the claim that ritual circumcision is a public health problem. Dr. Michael Ben-עקון said about 2 billion men worldwide have been circumcised, with overall complication rates below 0.4% and infection rates below 0.06%. He said Israel records about 70,000 to 75,000 circumcisions a year, with 35 complications reported in 2018, and that about 70% are done by certified mohalim under joint Health Ministry and Chief Rabbinate supervision. Dr. Sass Barmousa and Dr. Nofer Vayga cited studies linking circumcision with lower rates of urinary tract infections, some cancers, and sexually transmitted diseases.
European officials also sent supportive messages. EU health and animal welfare commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said, “The Jewish life belongs to Europe. The Jewish tradition belongs to Europe.” EU antisemitism coordinator Katharina von Schnurbein said banning the practice would effectively ban Jewish life in any member state. The conference ended with warnings that Belgium’s legal case, which in May 2026 brought indictments against three mohalim arrested in Antwerp last year, could set a broader European precedent.
