A Belgian probe into suspected illegal circumcisions sparked a fresh diplomatic spat, as Israel renewed charges of antisemitism against the country.
The row began in February after it came to light that Belgium was investigating several mohels, men who carry out circumcisions according to Jewish law, over suspicion of illegally practising medicine.
The case against two suspects is set to be referred to the Antwerp criminal court.
The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office said the indictment was ready and contained sufficient evidence to request two men be tried on charges of premeditated assault and battery of two minors and practising medicine without a licence.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the move as “a scarlet letter on Belgian society” in a post on X.
“With this act Belgium joins a short and shameful list, together with Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to prosecute Jews for practising Judaism,” Sa’ar added in the same post.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot rebuked his Israeli counterpart in a post responding to Sa’ar. He told him to stop his caricatures, saying the country’s judiciary was independent and free from any political influence.
He noted the proceedings had been initiated by representatives of the Jewish community and rejected claims that Belgium was undermining Jewish people’s religious freedom.
Prévot suggested a meeting with Sa’ar in Israel in order to put an end to any misinterpretations.
