Belgian prosecutors announced Wednesday that they have filed criminal charges against three Jewish mohalim (circumcisers) from Antwerp, accusing them of performing a medical procedure without sufficient medical certification. The announcement was confirmed by sources in the Jewish community and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.
The three men were arrested roughly a year ago after a member of the Jewish community reported their names to police, alleging they were performing a medical procedure in violation of Belgian law. At the time, Belgian police raided the homes of the three mohalim, arrested them, and confiscated their circumcision instruments. The Belgian authorities' position is that the mohalim perform the procedure without medical certification, and that the metzitzah (a post-circumcision oral suction step) – performed after the removal of the foreskin – risks transmitting disease to the infant and endangering his health. The practical consequence of the indictment is that mohalim without recognized medical credentials will no longer be able to perform circumcisions in Belgium, as they face exposure to criminal prosecution.
This is a shameful stain on Belgium.
The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won't be tolerated.
Belgium will be thought of now as anti Semitic by world. Until this is resolved - there is no way around it.
The Trump… https://t.co/XBLp35aPH2
— Ambassador Bill White (@BillWhiteUSA) May 6, 2026
The arrests drew furious reactions from the Jewish community. Community sources noted that since the Holocaust, circumcision had never been banned in Belgium – and that the last time such a prohibition was imposed, it was by the Nazi regime following its occupation of the country during World War II. It is also worth noting that kosher slaughter has been significantly restricted in Belgium by the country's authorities.
The investigation against the mohalim also sparked a major diplomatic crisis between the US and Belgium, after US Ambassador to Brussels Bill White issued a sharp public protest against the Belgian government.
About three months ago, White addressed Belgian Health Minister Frank Vanbroucke in a forceful message published with the approval of the senior US administration and the president, accusing the Belgian government of antisemitism. "Antisemitism is not acceptable in any form. In particular, you must stop the ridiculous and antisemitic 'prosecution' of the three mohalim in Antwerp! They are doing what they were trained to do for thousands of years," he wrote.
White addressed Vanbroucke directly, calling him "the rude minister" and "sneaky," and said, "You need to establish a legal directive that allows members of the Jewish faith to perform their role here in Belgium. Belgium is a civilized country. Stop this unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium. We are in 2026 – you need to enter the 21st century and allow our brothers, the Jewish families of Belgium, to legally exercise their religious freedom."
In response to White's statements, Belgium summoned the US ambassador for a formal rebuke. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said, "Any insinuation that Belgium is antisemitic is false, offensive, and unacceptable. Everyone must be able to practice their faith without fear of violence, discrimination, or persecution. Belgian law permits ritual circumcision when performed by a licensed physician under strict health and safety standards. Labeling Belgium as antisemitic is not only wrong – it is dangerous disinformation that harms the real fight against hatred."
Foreign Minister Sa'ar, who had already noted the sharp rise in antisemitism in Belgium, responded to Wednesday's indictment with a sharp attack: "The Brith Mila is the cornerstone of Jewish faith. Many countries in Europe and around the world have created legal frameworks to facilitate the brith and Jewish religion freedom in their countries. I call upon the Belgium government to act immediately and to find a solution."
Ambassador White also responded Wednesday to the filing of the indictment in a forceful statement posted on X. "This is a shameful stain on Belgium. The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won't be tolerated," he wrote. "Belgium will be thought of now as antisemitic by world. Until this is resolved - there is no way around it."
White added that "the Trump Administration condemns this judicial action and also condemns the political inaction by the Belgium Government to find a solution with the beautiful Jewish communities here in Belgium," and called on the Belgian government to act immediately to establish a certification framework for mohalim. "For the sake of Belgium's reputation in the world, I hope the Belgian government will act now," he concluded, announcing that he would soon publish further statements following meetings with the Belgian government.
