BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian officials called in the United States ambassador Tuesday following his social media comments that characterized the nation as engaging in antisemitic targeting of its Jewish population, according to the country’s top diplomat.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot responded Monday on X, stating “Labeling Belgium as antisemitic is not just wrong, it’s dangerous disinformation that undermines the real fight against hatred.” Such diplomatic summons between close allies are uncommon.
“An ambassador accredited to Belgium has a responsibility to respect our institutions, our elected representatives, and the independence of our judicial system,” Prévot declared. “Personal attacks against a Belgian minister and interference in judicial matters violate basic diplomatic norms.”
According to national broadcaster VRT, Belgian law enforcement is examining whether three individuals in Antwerp conducted circumcisions lacking proper medical certification.
US Ambassador Bill White posted on X that this probe represented “unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium.”
White announced plans to meet with the three individuals under investigation in Antwerp and requested Belgium’s health minister accompany him.
“You must make a legal provision to allow Jewish religious MOHELS to perform their duties here in Belgium,” White wrote, referencing the Hebrew word for specially trained Jewish religious officials who perform circumcisions, which represents a fundamental religious practice.
The ritual is essential for Jewish males, as those who haven’t undergone circumcision typically cannot participate in bar mitzvahs, Jewish weddings, or burial in Jewish cemeteries.
Foreign Minister Prévot explained that “Belgian law permits ritual circumcision when performed by a qualified physician under strict health and safety standards” while declining to discuss the active investigation.
