Brussels, Belgium – A diplomatic row has erupted between the United States and Belgium after the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, publicly accused the Belgian government of antisemitism and interference in judicial processes. The dispute centers on the prosecution of three mohels – Jewish religious officials who perform circumcisions – in Antwerp, who are facing legal challenges for practicing without a medical license.
The Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, summoned Ambassador White for consultations on Tuesday, , following a post on X (formerly Twitter) by White on Monday, . In the post, White called for Belgium to “legalize this process” and halt what he termed “unacceptable harassment” of the Jewish community in Antwerp and throughout Belgium. He asserted that the mohels were “doing what they have been trained to do for thousands of years.”
According to reports, Belgian authorities initiated an investigation into the three mohels after conducting searches of their homes in May of the previous year. The investigation focuses on whether the circumcisions were performed in compliance with Belgian law, which requires medical professionals to carry out such procedures. Belgian MP Michael Freilich has pointed out that there is currently no pathway for mohels to become officially certified in Belgium.
Prevot strongly condemned White’s remarks, stating that any suggestion of antisemitism within Belgium was “false, offensive, and unacceptable.” He emphasized Belgium’s firm stance against antisemitism and defended the independence of the Belgian judicial system. Prevot also criticized White’s “personal attacks against a Belgian minister and interference in judicial matters,” characterizing them as a violation of “basic diplomatic norms.”
White, however, maintained his position, telling reporters on Tuesday that he had “no need for an apology” and expressed hope that Belgium would enact legislation to allow mohels to legally perform circumcisions. He also reportedly recounted a strained first meeting with Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, alleging that Vandenbroucke refused to shake his hand or pose for a photograph, leading White to believe Vandenbroucke “dislikes America.”
The situation has drawn international attention, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar voicing support for Ambassador White and citing a perceived “sharp and consecutive rise in antisemitic attacks in Belgium.” Saar urged Prevot to “take a hard look in that mirror and acknowledge reality.”
In response, Prevot cautioned against the “inflationary use of the term antisemitism” and rejected claims of widespread anti-Jewish sentiment within Belgium. He stated he would refrain from commenting on the specifics of the ongoing legal case.
The controversy highlights the complex intersection of religious freedom, legal regulations, and diplomatic relations. Belgium, like many European countries, grapples with balancing the rights of religious communities with public health and safety concerns. Circumcision practices, while deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, have faced legal scrutiny in some European nations due to concerns about potential medical risks and the rights of the child.
The case in Antwerp is not isolated. Antisemitism in Europe has a long and complex history, and concerns about rising antisemitism have been voiced in recent years. The incident comes amid broader anxieties about the security of Jewish communities across the continent and the potential for religious practices to be targeted by legal challenges.
The U.S. Ambassador’s unusually public intervention in a domestic legal matter has raised eyebrows within diplomatic circles. While ambassadors routinely engage in quiet diplomacy to advocate for the interests of their citizens and religious communities abroad, publicly accusing a host government of antisemitism is a rare and potentially damaging step. The fallout from this dispute could have implications for broader U.S.-Belgium relations and the dynamics of transatlantic diplomacy.
The investigation into the three mohels remains ongoing, and a trial date has not yet been set. The outcome of the case, and the Belgian government’s response to Ambassador White’s criticisms, will be closely watched by Jewish communities and international observers alike.
